The Holy Spirit (#4)
More about the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: (In the lesson)
Memory Verse: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit say the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Reminder: The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit, which God compares to living water, to his breath. He is also the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus promised to send his Holy Spirit with power to his disciples after his return to the Father in Heaven. Father , Son and Holy Spirit are ONE God. Jesus said to his disciples, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9) We see God's character in Jesus. Jesus wants his followers to "abide" (live) in him, obey him, and have his Spirit with power living in them. "I AM the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." "If you obey my commands you will remain in my love..."(John 15:5,10) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 ).
"'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6b) A word received: It is not your power or strength that matters; it is my Spirit and his power that matters. The weakest person (by human measures) can be the strongest person with my strength, with my Spirit.
Testimony by Neal and Lisa Longe about the new things the Spirit is doing in their lives.
NOTE about preparation before asking for more of the Holy Spirit. One of the things the Holy spirit does is give us new power over sin in our lives when we surrender those areas to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). But another work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin (John 16:9). There are times when we are blind to some of our real sins or have not fully let go of them. Part of the preparation for being baptized with the Holy Spirit or receiving a fresh infilling is to ask the LORD to show us by his Spirit if there is an area that we are not surrendering to him or if there are hidden sins we do not recognize. Examples are from the letters to the churches in Revelation. Jesus told the church in Ephesus that they did many things well but had lost their first love for him, (2:44) and he told the church in Laodicea that they were lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, and both needed to repent. (3:14) We are going to take a few minutes to silently pray and ask the Lord to show us any of this in our lives, so that we may deal with them and receive his forgiveness and be ready to receive more of Jesus' Spirit next week. God already knows about this but maybe we don't. We can't hide from God. After a brief time we have asked Fr. Brad to close with a joint confession of sin and pronounce God's forgiveness. Sometimes people do not really accept that God has forgiven what they have confessed and that is a barrier to growing in him. Last place is taken! Paul said he was the worst of sinners!
Few minutes of silent prayer.
Some results those among us have experienced from the Holy Spirit.
* a new sense of God's presence, more experience of the Lord (by the Spirit we cry "Abba", Father.)
* new power over sin in our lives, also the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:9)
* Bible reading coming alive
* ability/freedom to talk to others about Jesus
* gifts/manifestations of the Holy Spirit (see later)
* fruits of the Spirit ; "But the fruit of the Spirit is love(agape), joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) Fruit does not grow overnight and Paul talks in 1 Corinthians 13 about the importance of having the fruit of the Spirit when using the gifts of the Spirit.
* more of a shared life with other believers (Body of Christ)
* guidance. increased ability to hear/discern what the Lord says
* ability to pray in a new way, in English or tongues, "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26)
* healing
GIFTS, MINISTRIES: MANIFESTATIONS/ of the Holy Spirit
GIFTS (See I Corinthians 12:1-11, 14:1, 12 )
* words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, works of power (miracles),
* prophecy, discerning spirits (testing) "Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything (!!). Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)
* different kinds of tongues
MINISTRIES (listed in I Corinthians 12:27-31 and in Romans 12:4-8, 13 and in 1 Peter 4:8-11.
* apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healing, helping, administration, tongues. (Romans 12:1-2, 4-8, 13:how we are to USE our gifts and ministries),.
* 1 Peter lists prophecy, serving, encouraging, giving, leadership, showing mercy, sharing with needy, hospitality.
Most of these are self explanatory. These gifts and ministries are not possessions but tools Jesus gives us to build up his Body, make him known, glorify him and have his joy.
Even children can receive gifts and ministries: we saw a 12 year old boy with a gift of healing and Samuel received the gift of prophecy as a boy.
Prophecy and words of wisdom and words of knowledge need a little explanation. (examples) Basically they refer to a current message from the Lord that may take several forms. It is NOT equal to Biblical prophecy. Even in the Bible prophecy is not always about the future, but is a present message God has for his people. People experience it as ideas or words that form in their minds, occasionally as heard aloud, as pictures, visions, a "sense" of things. We see all of these things in the Bible. Just because something is called a prophecy doesn't automatically mean it is one. Test everything. There are 3 sources: God, the human mind, Satan. Test everything.
The most important thing is that it be TESTED because we get ideas, etc from many sources, even from Satan. Jesus was tempted by Satan who quoted Scripture and distorted scripture but Jesus answered with the Word of God from Scripture. We test what we think is from the Lord by seeing if it is consistent with the whole of Scripture and by asking for the gift of discernment by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised to guide all his disciples by his Spirit but some people do have special gifts in these areas. A word of wisdom is the Spirit giving a message of wisdom to someone. A word of knowledge is the Spirit giving someone a word/picture/idea of information that can be used in ministering. I have heard speakers at a healing service say for example, that they think someone has a certain problem that God wants to heal or the Lord gives an idea to someone who is praying with someone that may help get to the root of a problem and asks the person about it. No one's gifts are perfect as Paul says in 1Corinthians 13:9 "we know in part and we prophesy in part..." That is why we often need to go to another person to help us test a message. Sometimes God will simply highlight a passage in the Bible. The first thing to do is write it down and ASK the Lord about it. Learning to use the Spirit's gifts takes practice.
Tongues also need a bit of explanation.
* 1. At Pentecost the disciples spoke in languages they did not know but others understood them as praising God. In our own congregation we know people spoke Japanese in Akime Hio's presence and Dave Carlson spoke words in French he had never learned.
* 2. Often tongues are prayer in a language we do not know and it is the Holy Spirit helping us to pray when we don't know how or what to pray, either privately or with someone else. People can sing praises to God in tongues.
* 3. Occasionally it is a form of a message from God IF it is interpreted. Paul tells the Corinthians that prophecy and tongues are always under the control of the speaker. (1 Corinthians 14:32)
* 4.They are NOT some sort of ecstatic utterance over which the speaker has not control--like what can happen in pagan worship as when Paul says, "No one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says 'Jesus be cursed' and no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3).
* 5. Paul urges people to use the gifts in love and to desire the gifts that will build up the Church and says he mostly does his praying in tongues in private.
A person has to speak out to receive this gift and not in your native language. When you are prayed with just speak out whatever sounds come to you as you turn to the Spirit. It takes a while for some, like me, others receive this prayer gift easily. Some suggest if you desire this gift, which God wants you to have, try singing in the shower in whatever non English language you know of.
Spiritual Warfare is another area to learn about. Satan is real and not a funny guy with horns. Peter warns us "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith."(1 Peter 5:8-9) Jesus was tempted in every way as we are yet without sin. "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:18 & 4:15).. We are told about the armor God has for us to put on daily in Ephesians 6: 10-18. There is a story in Acts 16:16-19 of Paul casting out an evil spirit of fortune telling from a slave girl. Jesus also did this. I don't suggest you try that as a beginner but when we belong to Jesus and have the power of his Spirit in us we can bind and rebuke an attack we sense is coming from Satan, like fear or anger, (example) and command it to leave us in the name of Jesus and go to Jesus and not come back. Then as Jesus said we need to ask him to fill that empty place with his Spirit and presence. Involvement in the occult is ALWAYS sin and puts us in Satan's territory.
God doesn't use a cookie cutter approach to baptizing us with his Spirit. There is not only the story of Pentecost, but the story of the non-Jews that Peter preached to at the home of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, where God sovereignly poured out his Spirit on all the people before they were baptized to show Peter the Holy Spirit was for all who truly turn to him. Then there is the story of believers in Ephesus who believed in Jesus but had never heard of the Holy Spirit till Paul told them. Sometimes people will have a very powerful experience and some will have no "experience" but their lives will be different. That was what happened to me. I suggest you do not focus on an "experience" or feeling, but on being open and surrendering to Jesus and His Holy Spirit and receiving whatever he wants to give you. It is OK to ask for a certain gift but the Lord will decide what he wants to give you and you will be blessed.
Are you ready? You need to repent of any un-repented sin and renew your commitment to Jesus. This is a renewal of your baptismal vows and then you need to want and ask for Jesus to baptize you with his Spirit with power--for the first time or once again. On the 9th there will be teams of people to pray with you if you want to.
"Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49) A word received: Sometimes doing nothing but waiting for me to move is the most difficult form of obedience. Are you willing to wait on me and my Spirit? "Wait," I say; tarry until you are filled with my Holy Spirit.
"He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24) A word received: I want you to know and experience my faithfulness. Come to me; let me fill you up with my Spirit so that you will know my faithfulness.
Do you have any questions? There are no dumb or too simple questions. You can come to us, to the clergy or prayer teams and we will all be glad to try to answer your questions.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 27, April 25, 2010
The Holy Spirit #3
Repentance and the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Acts 1:1-5, 8, Acts 2
Memory Verse: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (Pre-K to grade 3)
Remember, when we talk about the Holy Spirit, we are talking about God himself, a personal God. He is not a thing or a "force", but God's own Spirit. It is true that we talk about wanting more of the Holy Spirit but what really happens is that He (not it) wants to have more of us, but only we can give God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) more of ourselves. He gives us the choice. Are we willing for Jesus to be LORD -i.e. "in charge" or are we still wanting to be in control? He is trustworthy. He will not harm us or force us to do anything against our will, though he can be pretty active to persuade us!
The story of Pentecost begins with Jesus' instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. Remember how Jesus promised his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit on them and not leave them orphans, but would come to them through the Spirit.(John 14:18). On the day he ascended to return to his Father in Heaven, he told them again to Wait for the gift God the Father promised and you will be baptized (filled, immersed) with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:1-5) Then Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (vs. 8)
This is a promise with a condition--waiting with expectation. So the disciples and other believers, both men and women, Jesus' mother and brothers waited "together, joining constantly in prayer" (vs.14), about 120 of them. Pentecost is the Greek name for the Jewish Festival of Weeks (a harvest festival of the "first fruits" of the wheat harvest-Exodus 34:22). It means "50" and occurred on the 50th day after the Passover Sabbath.
Look at what happened on the morning of Pentecost. They were "all, with one accord, in one place" (Acts 2:1) Notice the repeated emphasis on unity in prayer! . (Perhaps this was in the temple since it was a Feast day.). Suddenly a series of symbolic sounds and actions occurred which quickly drew a huge crowd. First: a sound like a "rushing, mighty wind"--Literally "rushing, violent breath". Remember "breath of God" is a term for the Holy Spirit. Second: they saw what seemed to be like "divided tongues of fire" sit on each one of them. Fire was sometimes associated with the presence of God: the burning bush Moses saw, the pillar of fire guiding them in the wilderness, fire on Mt. Sinai when the Ten Commandments were given, during Elijah's contest with the pagan priests on Mt. Carmel when the fire of God fell on Elijah's sacrifice, and when God said to Jeremiah, "Is not my word like a fire?". John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11) Third: Then the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to "speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." "Tongues" simply means a language, in this case languages they didn't know.
All this noise attracted a huge crowd of Jews, who had come from many nations for the Feast and heard the believers praising God and declaring his wonders in their own languages! (vs.5-11) We will talk more about "tongues" next week but it is important to say that the purpose here was to praise God in prayer in a way that was a witness to non-believers. Also "tongues" are not a language known to the speaker but sometimes could be understood by listeners. This happened twice at Christ Church when someone spoke in a tongue and Akime Hio, from Okinawa, said the message was in Japanese! Once it was Huyland Bryant and once it was at a Women's Aglow meeting where I was present.
What did all this mean? It pointed to Jesus. When some accused them of being drunk, Peter, who was so fearful during Jesus' trial that he denied Jesus, gets up and tells them what it means. He quotes the prophecy of Joel (2:28-32). Read aloud. Then Peter tells of the miracles, signs and wonders God did among them through Jesus, who" you, with the help of wicked men put to death; but God raised him from the dead" (vs.22-24).
He told them that David, long dead, had spoken of Christ's resurrection and that God had made Jesus "both Lord and Christ." (vs.36)
How are we to respond?
Many were "thoroughly pierced" in their hearts and asked "What shall we do?" Peter's answer is simple, "Repent and be baptized ---in the Name of Jesus so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (vs.38) About 3,000 responded! A word received: "They were cut to the heart." I want my people to pray for that. That is a work I do through my Holy Spirit. I want them to desire my cleansing fire. A word received: They have to desire this.
What does it mean to repent? The word means to turn around and go the other way. Torre's computer illustration: when you hit the delete key the computer gives you a message--Are you sure you want to do this? Do you really want to get rid of this? If you hit delete it is repenting of what you wrote. Repentance is not remorse, just really feeling bad emotionally. Repentance may involve feelings but the important part is a change in actions, direction--an act of the will. But will-power is not enough. Notice what else Peter had to say. He said they must be baptized in the name of Jesus. To be free of our sins we must give them to Jesus and surrender our lives to him and receive the forgiveness he died on the cross for us. So commitment to Jesus and receiving him in our hearts is the second step. Then we can receive the Holy Spirit. All those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil received this forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
At Pentecost Jesus was offering the gift of the Holy Spirit in power. Some of us long ago received Jesus as our Savior and Lord and the Holy Spirit but had never experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. Others may never have made a firm commitment to Jesus and really repented of their sins. Others may have received the Holy Spirit with power long ago but have grown weary and discouraged and need a fresh filling with God's Spirit and His power. God does not have a cookie cutter approach or a formula. There are several different ways of receiving the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Some have a powerful experience. Others don't experience/feel anything but will begin to discover a real difference in their lives. The first two steps--repentance and commitment to Jesus--are necessary prerequisites to being baptized with the Holy Spirit's power. If you have not done this or are not ready to do this we will pray with you but not a prayer to be filled with the Spirit until you are ready. The goal is living life in the power of God's Spirit and not getting a certain experience or getting a "thing". Rather the Holy Spirit wants you.
Some words and ideas the Lord gave the teachers:
"'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'" (Acts 2:36) A reflection: We need to recognize the sin in our lives and our rebellion [means: "doing it my way" Frank Sinatra] against Jesus.
"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (Acts 2:37) A word received: That is what I want for you -- that you will be cut to the heart in your repentance. I want you to pray for this.
"Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38) A word received: Look to me; look to me for the fruit of repentance, of turning to me: the gift of my Holy Spirit. Every time you turn to me I want to give you more of my Spirit. Turn to me and receive with hands held out to me.
"'For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.'" (Acts 2:39) A word received: The Prodigal Son was far off but I called him back to myself. There is no distance so great that I cannot call you back to me. Come to me, I AM waiting with arms open wide. Receive my promise; receive the Holy Spirit.
WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?
Some obstacles to receiving the power of the Holy Spirit
unconfessed sin, hidden sin
involvement in the occult
fear- of making a fool of your self or fear of opinions of others, of fear of losing control
unbelief
pride or shame
not having clearly accepted Jesus
spiritual attack
Some results those among us have experienced.
Repentance and the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Acts 1:1-5, 8, Acts 2
Memory Verse: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (Pre-K to grade 3)
Remember, when we talk about the Holy Spirit, we are talking about God himself, a personal God. He is not a thing or a "force", but God's own Spirit. It is true that we talk about wanting more of the Holy Spirit but what really happens is that He (not it) wants to have more of us, but only we can give God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) more of ourselves. He gives us the choice. Are we willing for Jesus to be LORD -i.e. "in charge" or are we still wanting to be in control? He is trustworthy. He will not harm us or force us to do anything against our will, though he can be pretty active to persuade us!
The story of Pentecost begins with Jesus' instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. Remember how Jesus promised his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit on them and not leave them orphans, but would come to them through the Spirit.(John 14:18). On the day he ascended to return to his Father in Heaven, he told them again to Wait for the gift God the Father promised and you will be baptized (filled, immersed) with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:1-5) Then Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (vs. 8)
This is a promise with a condition--waiting with expectation. So the disciples and other believers, both men and women, Jesus' mother and brothers waited "together, joining constantly in prayer" (vs.14), about 120 of them. Pentecost is the Greek name for the Jewish Festival of Weeks (a harvest festival of the "first fruits" of the wheat harvest-Exodus 34:22). It means "50" and occurred on the 50th day after the Passover Sabbath.
Look at what happened on the morning of Pentecost. They were "all, with one accord, in one place" (Acts 2:1) Notice the repeated emphasis on unity in prayer! . (Perhaps this was in the temple since it was a Feast day.). Suddenly a series of symbolic sounds and actions occurred which quickly drew a huge crowd. First: a sound like a "rushing, mighty wind"--Literally "rushing, violent breath". Remember "breath of God" is a term for the Holy Spirit. Second: they saw what seemed to be like "divided tongues of fire" sit on each one of them. Fire was sometimes associated with the presence of God: the burning bush Moses saw, the pillar of fire guiding them in the wilderness, fire on Mt. Sinai when the Ten Commandments were given, during Elijah's contest with the pagan priests on Mt. Carmel when the fire of God fell on Elijah's sacrifice, and when God said to Jeremiah, "Is not my word like a fire?". John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11) Third: Then the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to "speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." "Tongues" simply means a language, in this case languages they didn't know.
All this noise attracted a huge crowd of Jews, who had come from many nations for the Feast and heard the believers praising God and declaring his wonders in their own languages! (vs.5-11) We will talk more about "tongues" next week but it is important to say that the purpose here was to praise God in prayer in a way that was a witness to non-believers. Also "tongues" are not a language known to the speaker but sometimes could be understood by listeners. This happened twice at Christ Church when someone spoke in a tongue and Akime Hio, from Okinawa, said the message was in Japanese! Once it was Huyland Bryant and once it was at a Women's Aglow meeting where I was present.
What did all this mean? It pointed to Jesus. When some accused them of being drunk, Peter, who was so fearful during Jesus' trial that he denied Jesus, gets up and tells them what it means. He quotes the prophecy of Joel (2:28-32). Read aloud. Then Peter tells of the miracles, signs and wonders God did among them through Jesus, who" you, with the help of wicked men put to death; but God raised him from the dead" (vs.22-24).
He told them that David, long dead, had spoken of Christ's resurrection and that God had made Jesus "both Lord and Christ." (vs.36)
How are we to respond?
Many were "thoroughly pierced" in their hearts and asked "What shall we do?" Peter's answer is simple, "Repent and be baptized ---in the Name of Jesus so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (vs.38) About 3,000 responded! A word received: "They were cut to the heart." I want my people to pray for that. That is a work I do through my Holy Spirit. I want them to desire my cleansing fire. A word received: They have to desire this.
What does it mean to repent? The word means to turn around and go the other way. Torre's computer illustration: when you hit the delete key the computer gives you a message--Are you sure you want to do this? Do you really want to get rid of this? If you hit delete it is repenting of what you wrote. Repentance is not remorse, just really feeling bad emotionally. Repentance may involve feelings but the important part is a change in actions, direction--an act of the will. But will-power is not enough. Notice what else Peter had to say. He said they must be baptized in the name of Jesus. To be free of our sins we must give them to Jesus and surrender our lives to him and receive the forgiveness he died on the cross for us. So commitment to Jesus and receiving him in our hearts is the second step. Then we can receive the Holy Spirit. All those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil received this forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
At Pentecost Jesus was offering the gift of the Holy Spirit in power. Some of us long ago received Jesus as our Savior and Lord and the Holy Spirit but had never experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. Others may never have made a firm commitment to Jesus and really repented of their sins. Others may have received the Holy Spirit with power long ago but have grown weary and discouraged and need a fresh filling with God's Spirit and His power. God does not have a cookie cutter approach or a formula. There are several different ways of receiving the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Some have a powerful experience. Others don't experience/feel anything but will begin to discover a real difference in their lives. The first two steps--repentance and commitment to Jesus--are necessary prerequisites to being baptized with the Holy Spirit's power. If you have not done this or are not ready to do this we will pray with you but not a prayer to be filled with the Spirit until you are ready. The goal is living life in the power of God's Spirit and not getting a certain experience or getting a "thing". Rather the Holy Spirit wants you.
Some words and ideas the Lord gave the teachers:
"'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'" (Acts 2:36) A reflection: We need to recognize the sin in our lives and our rebellion [means: "doing it my way" Frank Sinatra] against Jesus.
"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (Acts 2:37) A word received: That is what I want for you -- that you will be cut to the heart in your repentance. I want you to pray for this.
"Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38) A word received: Look to me; look to me for the fruit of repentance, of turning to me: the gift of my Holy Spirit. Every time you turn to me I want to give you more of my Spirit. Turn to me and receive with hands held out to me.
"'For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.'" (Acts 2:39) A word received: The Prodigal Son was far off but I called him back to myself. There is no distance so great that I cannot call you back to me. Come to me, I AM waiting with arms open wide. Receive my promise; receive the Holy Spirit.
WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS?
Some obstacles to receiving the power of the Holy Spirit
unconfessed sin, hidden sin
involvement in the occult
fear- of making a fool of your self or fear of opinions of others, of fear of losing control
unbelief
pride or shame
not having clearly accepted Jesus
spiritual attack
Some results those among us have experienced.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 26, April 18, 2010
The Holy Spirit (#2)
God's Love, Salvation and Who is the Holy Spirit?
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 11:9-13, Romans 8:1-17, 26-27,31-39
Memory Verse: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 (Pre-K to grade 3)
A word received: Pray for my living waters to flow.
Lord, give us a thirst for what you want to give us. Come, Holy Spirit, and do a work of preparation in us.
A word received: Trust me.
Remember what we looked at last week--Jesus' offer of "living water" to those who are spiritually thirsty, not just a drink but also promised that out of their hearts would flow rivers of living water. And he promised a spring of living water to the woman at the well in Samaria whose life was a mess!
God's Spirit in the Old Testament In the Old Testament God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is compared to living (flowing, fresh) water and to the Breath of God, that is a part of God himself. We cannot live physically without water and breath and to live spiritually we need the Spirit of God, living water and the breath of God to live the new life God wants us to have. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus.
There are a number of promises in the Old Testament and later from Jesus about a time when God would pour out his Spirit on all his people, not just on a few chosen leaders. God promised fountains, rivers of living water, his Spirit, and new breath and life in the dead, dry bones of his sinful people.
Sin and Salvation. The problem was and is sin and evil.
God's people and all people turned away from God, their Creator and made other gods for themselves. They wanted to go their own way, to be like God, deciding for themselves what was good and evil. First man and first woman chose to believe Satan's lie that God was withholding something good from them rather than believe and trust God. After creation, even some of the angels rebelled against God and became Satan and evil spirits. God had a rescue plan, which he accomplished in his Son, his Word, who took on our flesh and blood, Jesus of Nazareth. Through the salvation God offers through the death and resurrection of Jesus, he offers us new life as adopted sons and daughters, as Paul says in Colossians 1:13, "He has rescued us from the Dominion of Darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
What God the Father is like and what our situation is, is told in a nutshell in the parable of the Prodigal Son or as others call the parable of the Waiting Father. (Luke 15:11-32) The younger son basically wished his father dead-"give me my half of the inheritance" and went far from home and wasted it till he wished he could eat pig food! He decided to go back beg his father to let him be like a hired servant (repentance). "His father seeing him from a great way off rushed to meet him" hugged him and gave him a party to welcome him home as his son. The older son was very self-centered and resentful of the father's generosity. God rushes to meet us when we repent and turn back to him and welcomes us home. (Notice that some consequences remain. The money was gone.) We don't know if the self righteous son repented of his attitude. (Torre tell story of his mother's return.) "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10).
God created us for himself, but he gave us freedom to make choices so we would choose to love him and obey him. He loves us (but it is not an indulgent, permissive love). Even when we have gone astray and rejoices when we return to him, confess our sins and accept the salvation he offers in Jesus. Then he adopts us as his sons and daughters. Read Romans 8:1-4. God the Father, in Jesus his Son, himself paid the penalty of our sins for us.
When we receive salvation in Jesus we receive the Holy Spirit but very often he lives in us but we have not received all he wants to give us. (When I was growing up I knew about the Holy Spirit but I didn't know anything about receiving his power in the present day.) Also, just like water or breath, we need to receive the Living Water, the Breath of God again and again. Our relationship with God the Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit (one God) needs to be refreshed and grow daily or we will grow dry, stale and thirsty.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8 ). His disciples had walked and talked with him for three years. It wasn't till the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them like water and fire that they were changed. Peter went from being fearful and denying Jesus to preaching to the thousands of people, some of whom had been involved in crucifying Jesus. Paul says in Romans 8:29 that God wants to conform us to the likeness of his Son Jesus.
Some of you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised but only Jesus received the Holy Spirit "without limit" (John 3:34). The disciples, shortly after Pentecost received a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29-31) after they were threatened for speaking about Jesus publically. They asked God to give them boldness and to stretch forth his hand with healing and signs and wonders and God poured out his Spirit so powerfully that the building was shaken.
Testimony: (Our story of burning out on the mission field in a place God had called us to--and the difference the baptism of the Holy Spirit made.) God doesn't have just one pattern for pouring out his Spirit. We see several different ways in the New Testament.
We are living in a time of great difficulty and sometimes persecution. God's people are weary and longing for God to act. It's been quite a while since we saw many healing and conversions. The Christian church in this country has often grown lukewarm and our nation needs to be healed (2 Chronicles 7:14) Many of us are thirsty for God to act, to pour out his Spirit afresh on us and on his church. Look at what Jesus says in Luke 11 (Memory Verse). We need to ask, seek and knock for more of God's Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus. Our part is repentance and asking. We will talk more about that next week. We don't know when God will send a mighty move of his Spirit on us but we do know that if we as individuals ask for a fresh in-filling of the Holy Spirit, he will answer us. It may not look like what we expect or what someone else received (it didn't for Jean), but he will answer.
Sometimes we are afraid of what God might do that that holds us back. (Tell about the missionary in Liberia.). (Testimonies about difference baptism of the Holy Spirit made.)
Words the Lord gave the teachers to reflect on.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9) A word received: I long for my people to ask of me what I want to give them -- I want to give more of myself to them.
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Luke 11:10) A word received: Come to me, I AM waiting for you. Knock and I will open the door to you.
"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?" (Luke 11:11) A word received: I long for you to know my father's heart of love; I long for you to receive what he offers. Come to him in hope and trust and ask for more of the Holy Spirit.
"Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?" (Luke 11:12) A word received: I want you to know the truth about my father and his love for you. Pray that you will not be deceived by the lies of the world about my father and his love for you.
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13) A word received: Come to me, receive the living water I offer you. Turn to me in your hunger and thirst and I will satisfy you with my Holy Spirit.
Stop and reflect on your own personal need for a fresh outpouring.
To learn more: recommended books:
1. "Living Water" by Brother Yun, recommended by Bishop Love
2. "Questions of Life" by Nicky Gumbel (from Alpha course)
3. "The Helper" by Catherine Marshall
God's Love, Salvation and Who is the Holy Spirit?
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 11:9-13, Romans 8:1-17, 26-27,31-39
Memory Verse: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 (Pre-K to grade 3)
A word received: Pray for my living waters to flow.
Lord, give us a thirst for what you want to give us. Come, Holy Spirit, and do a work of preparation in us.
A word received: Trust me.
Remember what we looked at last week--Jesus' offer of "living water" to those who are spiritually thirsty, not just a drink but also promised that out of their hearts would flow rivers of living water. And he promised a spring of living water to the woman at the well in Samaria whose life was a mess!
God's Spirit in the Old Testament In the Old Testament God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is compared to living (flowing, fresh) water and to the Breath of God, that is a part of God himself. We cannot live physically without water and breath and to live spiritually we need the Spirit of God, living water and the breath of God to live the new life God wants us to have. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus.
There are a number of promises in the Old Testament and later from Jesus about a time when God would pour out his Spirit on all his people, not just on a few chosen leaders. God promised fountains, rivers of living water, his Spirit, and new breath and life in the dead, dry bones of his sinful people.
Sin and Salvation. The problem was and is sin and evil.
God's people and all people turned away from God, their Creator and made other gods for themselves. They wanted to go their own way, to be like God, deciding for themselves what was good and evil. First man and first woman chose to believe Satan's lie that God was withholding something good from them rather than believe and trust God. After creation, even some of the angels rebelled against God and became Satan and evil spirits. God had a rescue plan, which he accomplished in his Son, his Word, who took on our flesh and blood, Jesus of Nazareth. Through the salvation God offers through the death and resurrection of Jesus, he offers us new life as adopted sons and daughters, as Paul says in Colossians 1:13, "He has rescued us from the Dominion of Darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
What God the Father is like and what our situation is, is told in a nutshell in the parable of the Prodigal Son or as others call the parable of the Waiting Father. (Luke 15:11-32) The younger son basically wished his father dead-"give me my half of the inheritance" and went far from home and wasted it till he wished he could eat pig food! He decided to go back beg his father to let him be like a hired servant (repentance). "His father seeing him from a great way off rushed to meet him" hugged him and gave him a party to welcome him home as his son. The older son was very self-centered and resentful of the father's generosity. God rushes to meet us when we repent and turn back to him and welcomes us home. (Notice that some consequences remain. The money was gone.) We don't know if the self righteous son repented of his attitude. (Torre tell story of his mother's return.) "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10).
God created us for himself, but he gave us freedom to make choices so we would choose to love him and obey him. He loves us (but it is not an indulgent, permissive love). Even when we have gone astray and rejoices when we return to him, confess our sins and accept the salvation he offers in Jesus. Then he adopts us as his sons and daughters. Read Romans 8:1-4. God the Father, in Jesus his Son, himself paid the penalty of our sins for us.
When we receive salvation in Jesus we receive the Holy Spirit but very often he lives in us but we have not received all he wants to give us. (When I was growing up I knew about the Holy Spirit but I didn't know anything about receiving his power in the present day.) Also, just like water or breath, we need to receive the Living Water, the Breath of God again and again. Our relationship with God the Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit (one God) needs to be refreshed and grow daily or we will grow dry, stale and thirsty.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8 ). His disciples had walked and talked with him for three years. It wasn't till the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them like water and fire that they were changed. Peter went from being fearful and denying Jesus to preaching to the thousands of people, some of whom had been involved in crucifying Jesus. Paul says in Romans 8:29 that God wants to conform us to the likeness of his Son Jesus.
Some of you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised but only Jesus received the Holy Spirit "without limit" (John 3:34). The disciples, shortly after Pentecost received a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29-31) after they were threatened for speaking about Jesus publically. They asked God to give them boldness and to stretch forth his hand with healing and signs and wonders and God poured out his Spirit so powerfully that the building was shaken.
Testimony: (Our story of burning out on the mission field in a place God had called us to--and the difference the baptism of the Holy Spirit made.) God doesn't have just one pattern for pouring out his Spirit. We see several different ways in the New Testament.
We are living in a time of great difficulty and sometimes persecution. God's people are weary and longing for God to act. It's been quite a while since we saw many healing and conversions. The Christian church in this country has often grown lukewarm and our nation needs to be healed (2 Chronicles 7:14) Many of us are thirsty for God to act, to pour out his Spirit afresh on us and on his church. Look at what Jesus says in Luke 11 (Memory Verse). We need to ask, seek and knock for more of God's Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus. Our part is repentance and asking. We will talk more about that next week. We don't know when God will send a mighty move of his Spirit on us but we do know that if we as individuals ask for a fresh in-filling of the Holy Spirit, he will answer us. It may not look like what we expect or what someone else received (it didn't for Jean), but he will answer.
Sometimes we are afraid of what God might do that that holds us back. (Tell about the missionary in Liberia.). (Testimonies about difference baptism of the Holy Spirit made.)
Words the Lord gave the teachers to reflect on.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9) A word received: I long for my people to ask of me what I want to give them -- I want to give more of myself to them.
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Luke 11:10) A word received: Come to me, I AM waiting for you. Knock and I will open the door to you.
"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?" (Luke 11:11) A word received: I long for you to know my father's heart of love; I long for you to receive what he offers. Come to him in hope and trust and ask for more of the Holy Spirit.
"Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?" (Luke 11:12) A word received: I want you to know the truth about my father and his love for you. Pray that you will not be deceived by the lies of the world about my father and his love for you.
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13) A word received: Come to me, receive the living water I offer you. Turn to me in your hunger and thirst and I will satisfy you with my Holy Spirit.
Stop and reflect on your own personal need for a fresh outpouring.
To learn more: recommended books:
1. "Living Water" by Brother Yun, recommended by Bishop Love
2. "Questions of Life" by Nicky Gumbel (from Alpha course)
3. "The Helper" by Catherine Marshall
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 25, April 11, 2010
The Holy Spirit (#1)
Living Water: Jesus' Promise of the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 44:3, Acts 2:17-21, John 4:10,14, Mark 1:8, John 3:5, John 14:16-19, Luke 24:49.
Memory Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit..." John 7:37
Background Living water means running, flowing water, always fresh and always renewed, not stored water as in cisterns (storage tanks) or stagnant water. Palestine is largely dependent on rainfall for water. There are two rainy seasons separated by a dry spell in the summer. Even slight variations can produce serious drought and famine. Palestine lacks natural storage sites for water so historically they used a variety of man made storage facilities like cisterns and they also dug wells that go down to the water table. Both these are covered to prevent evaporation. Water is a basic requirement for life. We cannot live long without water. Jesus compares the Holy Spirit to living water.
Old Testament The Holy Spirit, God's own Spirit, is referred to many times in the Old Testament. To begin with, God's Spirit was active at Creation. Genesis 1:2 tells us "the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." [Notice in the first three verses we have references to what we call the Trinity: God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the WORD, the Son, One God.] The Spirit is mentioned in the creation of first man: God "breathed into him the breath of life." (Genesis 2:7). Breath is another way of talking about God's Spirit, as in the hymn "Breathe on Me Breath of God". You can't store up breath for more than a few minutes. You need fresh breath.
Only a few special people in the Old Testament were anointed with the Holy Spirit but there are promises that one day the "Living Water" would be available to all God's people. But the problem was that God's people kept wanting to be like their neighbors and worship their gods and forget the "I AM" who had saved them and could give them life.
* In Jeremiah God says, "'For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.'" (Jeremiah 2:13) A word received: I want you to recognize the evils for what they are: my people have forsaken me -- they have turned to other gods -- other philosophies that cannot satisfy, and they have dug for themselves cisterns that cannot retain water -- water living or water that is stale and dead. Turn to me, my people: repent and receive my living water.
In Ezekiel 37, God shows him a vision of a valley filled with dry bones---a picture of the spiritual condition of God's people Israel and promises that one day He will make breath (Spirit) enter them and bring them to life and then they will know (by personal acquaintance) that the "I AM" is the One, true and only God.
* "'Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!"'" (Ezekiel 37:4) A word received: How I long for the dry bones of my church to hear my word and live it out in my Spirit. (Stop and pray this for God's church.)
* "'Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.'" (Ezekiel 36:36) A word received: You cannot rebuild my church in your own strength -- you need my Holy Spirit to empower and guide you.
Listen to Isaiah's cry to the LORD, "Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3) Another promise In Isaiah is in 44:3.
* "'For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring;'" (Isaiah 44:3) A word received: Turn to me: ask me to help you recognize your thirst for what it is. Turn to me and I will pour out living water on you.
God promises Ezekiel what he will do in the future. "I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness's...a new heart I will give you and a new Spirit I will put in you, and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes. (Ezekiel 36:25-26).. Then there is the famous passage from Joel 2 which Peter quotes on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:17-21. READ ALOUD.
Have you noticed the many ways "water" is used in Scripture, very much like "bread"
JESUS: Jesus is the one who is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said, "I will baptize you with water but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8 ) (Note: the word 'baptize" is a word originally from the cloth dyeing industry and means to immerse in the dye and saturate the cloth.)
In John 4 Jesus promises "Living Water" to the woman at the well and reveals to her who he is. Notice that he says we have to ask for this "living water". "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."(vs.10) "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (vs.14)
At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus proclaimed to all that he will give Living Water (the Holy Spirit) to all who are spiritually thirsty and come to him. "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."(John 7:37) Notice that it is not just enough water to survive but streams/rivers of living water will flow to them and all around them who are also thirsty. The Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) was one of Israel's three major feasts (held in the Fall after the Day of Atonement.) The people were to live in temporary shelters (booths) outdoors to remember God's care for them in the wilderness. During the seven day feast the priest read Isaiah 12:3"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." This reminded them of the miracle of water from the rock in the desert (Numbers 20:2-13). The ceremony included a procession to the Pool of Siloam for water which was carried back in a golden pitcher and poured out in front of the people as an offering.
Early in his ministry Jesus tells a curious Nicodemus (John3:5) that unless a person is "born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." On the night before he was crucified Jesus told his disciples that he would send them "another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of Truth."(John 14:16-17) "You know him for he lives with you and will be in you."(vs.17) He "will guide you into all truth...He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."(vs.13-14)
After Jesus had risen from the dead he appeared to them to show them he was really alive and told them, "I am going to send you what the Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
Next week we will look God's love, salvation and the Holy Spirit.
We have to turn to Jesus for what only he can do. We can't live our lives in Christ on our own---we need to recognize our need for what only Jesus can give and do. We need to recognize our need for more of his Living Water. Are we like the little kid who when asked if he had brushed his teeth said, 'I did that yesterday!' Even if we have received the Holy Spirit "with power" as in Acts 2 we need to be refilled again and again. Yesterday's drink is not enough for today. We need living (fresh/flowing) water of life.
* "'Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.'" (Luke 24:49) A word received: It is my word, my gift that I want to give you. Turn to me according to my word to receive the gift of my Spirit. It doesn't matter how much water flows around you, if you don't open your mouth to receive it, it will not do you any good.
Picture a field with a stream flowing through it lined with trees whose roots grow down into the water so they are always fresh and green even in a drought and are always bearing fruit. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; it's leaves are always green. It has not worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8 )
What is your experience of Jesus' Living Water? Are you thirsty for a fresh drink?
(Testimony)
Remember the book Bishop Love asked us all to read; "Living Water" by Brother Yun. (Zondervan)
Living Water: Jesus' Promise of the Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit" John 7:37
Readings: Jeremiah 2:13, Isaiah 44:3, Acts 2:17-21, John 4:10,14, Mark 1:8, John 3:5, John 14:16-19, Luke 24:49.
Memory Verse: "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit..." John 7:37
Background Living water means running, flowing water, always fresh and always renewed, not stored water as in cisterns (storage tanks) or stagnant water. Palestine is largely dependent on rainfall for water. There are two rainy seasons separated by a dry spell in the summer. Even slight variations can produce serious drought and famine. Palestine lacks natural storage sites for water so historically they used a variety of man made storage facilities like cisterns and they also dug wells that go down to the water table. Both these are covered to prevent evaporation. Water is a basic requirement for life. We cannot live long without water. Jesus compares the Holy Spirit to living water.
Old Testament The Holy Spirit, God's own Spirit, is referred to many times in the Old Testament. To begin with, God's Spirit was active at Creation. Genesis 1:2 tells us "the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." [Notice in the first three verses we have references to what we call the Trinity: God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the WORD, the Son, One God.] The Spirit is mentioned in the creation of first man: God "breathed into him the breath of life." (Genesis 2:7). Breath is another way of talking about God's Spirit, as in the hymn "Breathe on Me Breath of God". You can't store up breath for more than a few minutes. You need fresh breath.
Only a few special people in the Old Testament were anointed with the Holy Spirit but there are promises that one day the "Living Water" would be available to all God's people. But the problem was that God's people kept wanting to be like their neighbors and worship their gods and forget the "I AM" who had saved them and could give them life.
* In Jeremiah God says, "'For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.'" (Jeremiah 2:13) A word received: I want you to recognize the evils for what they are: my people have forsaken me -- they have turned to other gods -- other philosophies that cannot satisfy, and they have dug for themselves cisterns that cannot retain water -- water living or water that is stale and dead. Turn to me, my people: repent and receive my living water.
In Ezekiel 37, God shows him a vision of a valley filled with dry bones---a picture of the spiritual condition of God's people Israel and promises that one day He will make breath (Spirit) enter them and bring them to life and then they will know (by personal acquaintance) that the "I AM" is the One, true and only God.
* "'Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!"'" (Ezekiel 37:4) A word received: How I long for the dry bones of my church to hear my word and live it out in my Spirit. (Stop and pray this for God's church.)
* "'Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.'" (Ezekiel 36:36) A word received: You cannot rebuild my church in your own strength -- you need my Holy Spirit to empower and guide you.
Listen to Isaiah's cry to the LORD, "Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3) Another promise In Isaiah is in 44:3.
* "'For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring;'" (Isaiah 44:3) A word received: Turn to me: ask me to help you recognize your thirst for what it is. Turn to me and I will pour out living water on you.
God promises Ezekiel what he will do in the future. "I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness's...a new heart I will give you and a new Spirit I will put in you, and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes. (Ezekiel 36:25-26).. Then there is the famous passage from Joel 2 which Peter quotes on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:17-21. READ ALOUD.
Have you noticed the many ways "water" is used in Scripture, very much like "bread"
JESUS: Jesus is the one who is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said, "I will baptize you with water but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8 ) (Note: the word 'baptize" is a word originally from the cloth dyeing industry and means to immerse in the dye and saturate the cloth.)
In John 4 Jesus promises "Living Water" to the woman at the well and reveals to her who he is. Notice that he says we have to ask for this "living water". "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."(vs.10) "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (vs.14)
At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus proclaimed to all that he will give Living Water (the Holy Spirit) to all who are spiritually thirsty and come to him. "If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."(John 7:37) Notice that it is not just enough water to survive but streams/rivers of living water will flow to them and all around them who are also thirsty. The Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) was one of Israel's three major feasts (held in the Fall after the Day of Atonement.) The people were to live in temporary shelters (booths) outdoors to remember God's care for them in the wilderness. During the seven day feast the priest read Isaiah 12:3"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." This reminded them of the miracle of water from the rock in the desert (Numbers 20:2-13). The ceremony included a procession to the Pool of Siloam for water which was carried back in a golden pitcher and poured out in front of the people as an offering.
Early in his ministry Jesus tells a curious Nicodemus (John3:5) that unless a person is "born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." On the night before he was crucified Jesus told his disciples that he would send them "another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of Truth."(John 14:16-17) "You know him for he lives with you and will be in you."(vs.17) He "will guide you into all truth...He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."(vs.13-14)
After Jesus had risen from the dead he appeared to them to show them he was really alive and told them, "I am going to send you what the Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
Next week we will look God's love, salvation and the Holy Spirit.
We have to turn to Jesus for what only he can do. We can't live our lives in Christ on our own---we need to recognize our need for what only Jesus can give and do. We need to recognize our need for more of his Living Water. Are we like the little kid who when asked if he had brushed his teeth said, 'I did that yesterday!' Even if we have received the Holy Spirit "with power" as in Acts 2 we need to be refilled again and again. Yesterday's drink is not enough for today. We need living (fresh/flowing) water of life.
* "'Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.'" (Luke 24:49) A word received: It is my word, my gift that I want to give you. Turn to me according to my word to receive the gift of my Spirit. It doesn't matter how much water flows around you, if you don't open your mouth to receive it, it will not do you any good.
Picture a field with a stream flowing through it lined with trees whose roots grow down into the water so they are always fresh and green even in a drought and are always bearing fruit. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; it's leaves are always green. It has not worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8 )
What is your experience of Jesus' Living Water? Are you thirsty for a fresh drink?
(Testimony)
Remember the book Bishop Love asked us all to read; "Living Water" by Brother Yun. (Zondervan)
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 24, March 28, 2010
Palm Sunday
Who do you say that I am?
Christ, our Passover Lamb
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Exodus 12:1-7,12-14,21-27,42, Matthew 16:21-23, Luke 9:30-31, Luke 22:7-23
Optional: Exodus 12:1-42, Hebrews 9:11-28
Memory Verse: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29)
Remember how in the lesson on Jesus the Lamb of God (#4) we learned about how God delivered his people, Israel, from slavery in Egypt. It was the first Passover, when God "passed over" the homes of the Israelites who had obeyed instructions and put the blood of the lamb they had sacrificed on their doorposts the night when the first-born of each Egyptian home died. The lamb had to be a perfect (without blemish) male lamb a year old. Jesus was the perfect "lamb of God"- without blemish of sin- when God sent Jesus to give his life for our salvation, for the forgiveness of our sins. Right after Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist told people, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
A word received: How I long to pass over my people today and know that they are covered by the blood of my son Jesus. Turn to me; receive the blessing I have for you. Come to me in humility and ask for forgiveness of sin. Let me free you from the bondage of sin.
The Exodus and first Passover provided a model for understanding what God was doing in Jesus. Three times Jesus told his disciples what was going to happen (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Matthew 20:17-19). That bewildered the disciples since they were expecting a Messiah King who would drive out the Romans. They were scattered by his arrest (Matthew 26:31-32). On the Mt. of Transfiguration Peter, James and John saw Jesus changed before them and saw him talking to two men they somehow knew were Moses and Elijah (from heaven) about his "departure" (literally "exodus") which he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31). "And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease [exodus] which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." (Luke 9:30-31) A word received: My father prepared my heart for what lay ahead -- that I was to be the Passover lamb.
Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen and deliberately chose when and where he would die for our sins. Every time the leaders who hated him tried to kill him he escaped until the right time---Passover time. Look again at Luke 22:22-23. Jesus arranged a secret signal (a man with a water jar -women's work) to guide the disciples to a place where they would not be disturbed. When they gathered around the table Jesus said, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (vs.15-16) Paul makes it very clear what was going on, "For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us."(1 Corinthians 5:7b) The Paul describes what Jesus did next in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) (See also in Luke 22:17-22)
Meaning of sacrifice and blood
Remember that in the Old Testament the blood of man and animal was its life and represented its life. When they sacrificed an animal they were offering the animal's life/blood as a substitute for their own lives. God used this animal sacrifice to teach the people about sacrifice so that one day when Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered his life for our sins we and they could understand it. "Christ, our Passover has been sacrificed for us."
Parallels between the Passover Seder and the Last Supper
(taken from "Christ in the Passover" by Ceil & Moishe Rosen of Jews for Jesus) There are four cups of wine at the meal and each has a name. The third cup is called the "Cup of Redemption". "After the same manner he also took the cup when he had supped, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' "(1 Corinthians 11:25). Blood was sprinkled on the people at Sinai in the covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:8 ) Hebrews teaches "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." (9:22). Christ offered the sacrifice of himself, once, for all, to take away the sins of many. (Hebrews 9:26-28 ) In John 10, Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep" (vs.11) "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." (vs.18 ). After Christ's death there was no more need for animal sacrifices.
Remember that the day started with the evening. Then he took the third cup. The gospel accounts only mention the first and third cups. The third cup had two names, the "cup of blessing" and the "cup of redemption"
Passover was not a temple service but held in homes and the children had a special part. In Exodus 12 they were instructed to celebrate it forever and pass this on to their children. The children were supposed to ask certain questions.
Why did God do this?
"God so loved the world (his creation and creatures) that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 2:16-17) God was making a new covenant in his blood, available to those who accepted Jesus. God had promised to make a new covenant centuries before through Jeremiah (31:31-34). God(Father, Son, Holy Spirit) had planned this before creation because he knew the cost of giving people the choice of loving him freely or rejecting him. "the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8 )
Isaiah describe how costly this gift of God in Christ was in Isaiah 53:5-6 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, everyone to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Remember not only what Jesus suffered on the cross for us but his agony in Gesthemane when he sweat blood as he prayed about what was coming. Jesus loves you and me that much! (NOTE on Gethsemane) "'Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.'" (John 15:13) It is amazing that one would die for his friends but Paul reminds us that Jesus died for those who were still in rebellion against God, his enemies! See Romans 5:8,10 A word received: I gave my life for you. Jesus died and rose again to set us free from sin and give us new life, but we have to accept the gift and walk with him.
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." (1 Corinthians 5:7) A word received: I want to cleanse you of every stain of sin.
"Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:8 ) A word received: I long to keep this feast with you.
But Jesus' death on the cross to ransom us from sin and death was not the end--otherwise it would have just been another tragedy. Jesus had told his disciples he would rise again. He was really dead and buried but he rose from the dead on the third day to show us clearly who he was and that he had won the victory over death and sin--a gift we can choose to receive--or not.
Just as the first Passover was the first step in new life and freedom for the Israelites, so Jesus death for our salvation opened the way to new life in him and a new covenant.
We have a choice to make. Are we going to receive what Jesus did for us? We need to ASK for and RECEIVE the new life he offers. He wants us to follow him and walk in newness of life in fellowship with him.
NOTE Jesus went to pray at an olive grove where they sometimes went to pray. It was named Gethsemane which is a press to press olives or grape for the juice or oil. Jesus was under tremendous pressure as he prayed. Remember he asked that if possible this "cup" would not have to be drunk but he prayed "Not my will but thine be done". He also forgave those who crucified him. We need to do that too.
Who do you say that I am?
Christ, our Passover Lamb
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Exodus 12:1-7,12-14,21-27,42, Matthew 16:21-23, Luke 9:30-31, Luke 22:7-23
Optional: Exodus 12:1-42, Hebrews 9:11-28
Memory Verse: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29)
Remember how in the lesson on Jesus the Lamb of God (#4) we learned about how God delivered his people, Israel, from slavery in Egypt. It was the first Passover, when God "passed over" the homes of the Israelites who had obeyed instructions and put the blood of the lamb they had sacrificed on their doorposts the night when the first-born of each Egyptian home died. The lamb had to be a perfect (without blemish) male lamb a year old. Jesus was the perfect "lamb of God"- without blemish of sin- when God sent Jesus to give his life for our salvation, for the forgiveness of our sins. Right after Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist told people, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
A word received: How I long to pass over my people today and know that they are covered by the blood of my son Jesus. Turn to me; receive the blessing I have for you. Come to me in humility and ask for forgiveness of sin. Let me free you from the bondage of sin.
The Exodus and first Passover provided a model for understanding what God was doing in Jesus. Three times Jesus told his disciples what was going to happen (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:22-23, Matthew 20:17-19). That bewildered the disciples since they were expecting a Messiah King who would drive out the Romans. They were scattered by his arrest (Matthew 26:31-32). On the Mt. of Transfiguration Peter, James and John saw Jesus changed before them and saw him talking to two men they somehow knew were Moses and Elijah (from heaven) about his "departure" (literally "exodus") which he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31). "And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease [exodus] which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." (Luke 9:30-31) A word received: My father prepared my heart for what lay ahead -- that I was to be the Passover lamb.
Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen and deliberately chose when and where he would die for our sins. Every time the leaders who hated him tried to kill him he escaped until the right time---Passover time. Look again at Luke 22:22-23. Jesus arranged a secret signal (a man with a water jar -women's work) to guide the disciples to a place where they would not be disturbed. When they gathered around the table Jesus said, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (vs.15-16) Paul makes it very clear what was going on, "For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us."(1 Corinthians 5:7b) The Paul describes what Jesus did next in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) (See also in Luke 22:17-22)
Meaning of sacrifice and blood
Remember that in the Old Testament the blood of man and animal was its life and represented its life. When they sacrificed an animal they were offering the animal's life/blood as a substitute for their own lives. God used this animal sacrifice to teach the people about sacrifice so that one day when Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered his life for our sins we and they could understand it. "Christ, our Passover has been sacrificed for us."
Parallels between the Passover Seder and the Last Supper
(taken from "Christ in the Passover" by Ceil & Moishe Rosen of Jews for Jesus) There are four cups of wine at the meal and each has a name. The third cup is called the "Cup of Redemption". "After the same manner he also took the cup when he had supped, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' "(1 Corinthians 11:25). Blood was sprinkled on the people at Sinai in the covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:8 ) Hebrews teaches "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." (9:22). Christ offered the sacrifice of himself, once, for all, to take away the sins of many. (Hebrews 9:26-28 ) In John 10, Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep" (vs.11) "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." (vs.18 ). After Christ's death there was no more need for animal sacrifices.
Remember that the day started with the evening. Then he took the third cup. The gospel accounts only mention the first and third cups. The third cup had two names, the "cup of blessing" and the "cup of redemption"
Passover was not a temple service but held in homes and the children had a special part. In Exodus 12 they were instructed to celebrate it forever and pass this on to their children. The children were supposed to ask certain questions.
Why did God do this?
"God so loved the world (his creation and creatures) that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 2:16-17) God was making a new covenant in his blood, available to those who accepted Jesus. God had promised to make a new covenant centuries before through Jeremiah (31:31-34). God(Father, Son, Holy Spirit) had planned this before creation because he knew the cost of giving people the choice of loving him freely or rejecting him. "the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8 )
Isaiah describe how costly this gift of God in Christ was in Isaiah 53:5-6 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, everyone to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Remember not only what Jesus suffered on the cross for us but his agony in Gesthemane when he sweat blood as he prayed about what was coming. Jesus loves you and me that much! (NOTE on Gethsemane) "'Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.'" (John 15:13) It is amazing that one would die for his friends but Paul reminds us that Jesus died for those who were still in rebellion against God, his enemies! See Romans 5:8,10 A word received: I gave my life for you. Jesus died and rose again to set us free from sin and give us new life, but we have to accept the gift and walk with him.
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." (1 Corinthians 5:7) A word received: I want to cleanse you of every stain of sin.
"Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:8 ) A word received: I long to keep this feast with you.
But Jesus' death on the cross to ransom us from sin and death was not the end--otherwise it would have just been another tragedy. Jesus had told his disciples he would rise again. He was really dead and buried but he rose from the dead on the third day to show us clearly who he was and that he had won the victory over death and sin--a gift we can choose to receive--or not.
Just as the first Passover was the first step in new life and freedom for the Israelites, so Jesus death for our salvation opened the way to new life in him and a new covenant.
We have a choice to make. Are we going to receive what Jesus did for us? We need to ASK for and RECEIVE the new life he offers. He wants us to follow him and walk in newness of life in fellowship with him.
NOTE Jesus went to pray at an olive grove where they sometimes went to pray. It was named Gethsemane which is a press to press olives or grape for the juice or oil. Jesus was under tremendous pressure as he prayed. Remember he asked that if possible this "cup" would not have to be drunk but he prayed "Not my will but thine be done". He also forgave those who crucified him. We need to do that too.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 23, March 21, 2010
Who do you say that I am?
The Kingdom of God is within your grasp!
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; John 3:1-17; Matthew 6:7-15;
Matthew 18: 1-5
Optional: Matthew 18: 21-35; Matthew 13: 24-33, 44-50
Memory Verse: Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3
KINGDOM: "the territory, people, state, or realm ruled by a king."
INTRODUCTION: The following is a summary of thoughts about God's kingdom presented in the book, Sitting at the Feet of the Rabbi Jesus, Chapter 13
God's kingdom is a realm that has no geographic location and transcends earthly nations. This kingdom is not a place but rather the actions of and dominion ruled by a king who transcends all earthly kings. It is God's reign, and those whom God reigns over.
Kingdom of heaven is a phrase sometimes applied in the New Testament Gospels but the word "heaven"as applied here is really a respectful euphemism for God's name, which good Jews would not utter. So Kingdom of Heaven is really Kingdom of God. Many Jews in Jesus' time believed that God was going to redeem the world by bringing it under his reign. What they did not know was what kind of king God's Messiah would be. Jews had prayed for centuries that the whole world would one day know and honor God. (and we Christians pray in the same way – "thy kingdom come…") Jesus' ministry was wholly about the Kingdom of God, and how it had broken in on this world. Read Luke 11:20 (and Exodus 8:19).
GOD'S KINGDOM IS INTIMATELY CLOSE! Read Luke 17: 20-21 and Matthew 12:28. The Jews believed- as noted in 1 Enoch and 2 Baruch from their Scriptures- that the kingdom of God would be observable through cosmic or celestial signs. The literal translation of Luke 17: 20 means- "the kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed." (or, "not with your careful observation", or "not in a way that can be closely watched") The kingdom is in fact within "your midst", or "intimately close", or "within your grasp", or "at hand". This means that it is so near no one can miss it. It is here. There is an urgency to it- what are you going to do about it? Do you want to be in God's kingdom? How does that happen? This verse has also been translated as "the kingdom of God is within you"; meaning, a personal commitment, where we bow down in our hearts to the king, where we daily enthrone him, or worship him. It is a present and continual choice on our part to be in God's kingdom.
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN! In Matthew 8:5-10 we read the story of the Roman centurion who came to Jesus so that his servant might be healed. He told Jesus that there was no need for Jesus to come to his home. Instead he says, "Just say the word and my servant will be healed, for I too am a man under authority…". The centurion placed himself under the authority of Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven visibly broke into his life. When you hear the phrases, "make a personal commitment to Jesus", or "commit your life to Christ", it means submitting your life to Jesus, and believing that he has authority to forgive all sins, including yours! In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "You must be born again". You must be born again to see and be in God's kingdom. It is as when Jesus says, "He who has ears, let him hear." In this case, it is, "He who has eyes, let him see." In today's Matthew 18 reading, Jesus in v. 3 states that unless we "humble" ourselves like a little child- the word "humble" literally means "repent", or "turn around"- we can never enter God's kingdom. This has nothing to do with any inherent humility on the part of any child, but it does point to a child's trusting spirit, and their willingness to be dependent and receive from others. Everyone who believes in/ trusts Jesus will not perish but have/receive eternal life! Eternal life is God's life, it is his kingdom. Paul as noted in Romans 8:17 states that "if we are children than we are heirs." Roman inheritance law established an heir by birth, whereas we are granted the privileges and responsibilities of being an heir upon someone's death. Paul emphasized that because we are born into God's life through faith in Jesus we become his children, and if we are God's children then we are heirs to all that belongs to the king. Have you made this personal commitment to Jesus? If so, can you give examples of the kingdom of God visibly breaking into your life or the life of someone you know? Set this against Jesus' home area of Nazareth, where he could not perform many miracles because of the people's lack of faith.
Once we have been born from above, our life in Christ, our kingdom life, does not end. It is active and present and continuous.
Read Matthew 7:21. Only those who do God's will Jesus will recognize as God's children. What is God's will? Read John 6:40.
Read Psalm 44:4. When we believe, and as we believe, a personal relationship is established and maintained. See Thomas in John 20:28- "My LORD and my God!"
Read Colossians 1: 13-14. Jesus has delivered us from the powers of darkness, and transferred us to his kingdom. And that kingdom is "Unshakeable"- see Hebrews 12:28, so let us worship and give thanks to God in "devotion and awe"!
Read Colossians 3: 1-3. "Keep seeking the things above." Matthew 6:33.
WHAT IS KINGDOM LIVING? A Christian writer once defined eternal life as "not about duration of time but quality of life." There are many examples in the New Testament about how we live in God's kingdom. Following are a few: Matthew 5:1- 7:29; Romans 12: 9-21; Galatians 5: 13-25. And of course we read the parables of the kingdom of heaven ("the kingdom of heaven is like…") in Matthew 13. In Matthew 5 is the well-known Sermon on the Mount. There Jesus proclaims to the people "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for the kingdom of God belongs to them." Jesus wants us to have hearts like beggars, hearts that are submitted to the Father. Remember in last week's lesson where we read Jesus' words that he does only what he sees his Father in heaven doing? As we live like this, totally dependent on the Father's love and the direction of his Spirit, the kingdom belongs to us. Later, Jesus tells us to "let your light shine before people". We should want this for others too. In Matthew 6 we read the Lord's Prayer. It begins by our acknowledging God as Father and king ("hallowed be your name…"), then continues with a request of the Father for his kingdom to come. What other examples of kingdom living are provided in these readings?
In Galatians 5, Paul discusses the difference between the life in the flesh and the life in the Spirit. If God has set us free from the bondage of sin, then we are free indeed! We have been called to this freedom- but don't misuse it! Paul exclaims- "Live by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh." He is clear in pointing out the desires of the flesh and the behavior that comes from them, and adds "Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!" So what are we to do? "Live by the Spirit"! Recall now the reading in last week's lesson from Deuteronomy 17, where the expected lifestyle of Israel's king is described. How does that life and this kingdom life compare? What is God saying to us about his life, eternal life, and about personal relationships? All of the conduct described not only establishes a personal relationship with God but also enhances our relationship with God and with one another. Jesus said in John 10:10 that he came so that we might have Life and have it most abundantly. God loves us and wants what is best for us, and kingdom life is the best life.
Following are words received for this lesson:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". (Matthew 5:3) A word received: Come to me so that you will truly know your poverty and your need for me.
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:12) A word received: I want your joy to be complete. Look to me for joy that comes in the face of adversity and persecution.
Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." (Matthew 13:31-32) A word received: Come, nest in the branches; come rest in my arms. Come to me; come find your shelter in me.
Another parable he spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." (Matthew 13:33) A word received: I want my love to be mixed up with your life. I want to raise and leaven you as yeast does with dough.
You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5) A word received: Come to me, I will build you up on the sure foundation of my love. You are precious in my sight.
The Kingdom of God is within your grasp!
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; John 3:1-17; Matthew 6:7-15;
Matthew 18: 1-5
Optional: Matthew 18: 21-35; Matthew 13: 24-33, 44-50
Memory Verse: Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3
KINGDOM: "the territory, people, state, or realm ruled by a king."
INTRODUCTION: The following is a summary of thoughts about God's kingdom presented in the book, Sitting at the Feet of the Rabbi Jesus, Chapter 13
God's kingdom is a realm that has no geographic location and transcends earthly nations. This kingdom is not a place but rather the actions of and dominion ruled by a king who transcends all earthly kings. It is God's reign, and those whom God reigns over.
Kingdom of heaven is a phrase sometimes applied in the New Testament Gospels but the word "heaven"as applied here is really a respectful euphemism for God's name, which good Jews would not utter. So Kingdom of Heaven is really Kingdom of God. Many Jews in Jesus' time believed that God was going to redeem the world by bringing it under his reign. What they did not know was what kind of king God's Messiah would be. Jews had prayed for centuries that the whole world would one day know and honor God. (and we Christians pray in the same way – "thy kingdom come…") Jesus' ministry was wholly about the Kingdom of God, and how it had broken in on this world. Read Luke 11:20 (and Exodus 8:19).
GOD'S KINGDOM IS INTIMATELY CLOSE! Read Luke 17: 20-21 and Matthew 12:28. The Jews believed- as noted in 1 Enoch and 2 Baruch from their Scriptures- that the kingdom of God would be observable through cosmic or celestial signs. The literal translation of Luke 17: 20 means- "the kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed." (or, "not with your careful observation", or "not in a way that can be closely watched") The kingdom is in fact within "your midst", or "intimately close", or "within your grasp", or "at hand". This means that it is so near no one can miss it. It is here. There is an urgency to it- what are you going to do about it? Do you want to be in God's kingdom? How does that happen? This verse has also been translated as "the kingdom of God is within you"; meaning, a personal commitment, where we bow down in our hearts to the king, where we daily enthrone him, or worship him. It is a present and continual choice on our part to be in God's kingdom.
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN! In Matthew 8:5-10 we read the story of the Roman centurion who came to Jesus so that his servant might be healed. He told Jesus that there was no need for Jesus to come to his home. Instead he says, "Just say the word and my servant will be healed, for I too am a man under authority…". The centurion placed himself under the authority of Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven visibly broke into his life. When you hear the phrases, "make a personal commitment to Jesus", or "commit your life to Christ", it means submitting your life to Jesus, and believing that he has authority to forgive all sins, including yours! In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "You must be born again". You must be born again to see and be in God's kingdom. It is as when Jesus says, "He who has ears, let him hear." In this case, it is, "He who has eyes, let him see." In today's Matthew 18 reading, Jesus in v. 3 states that unless we "humble" ourselves like a little child- the word "humble" literally means "repent", or "turn around"- we can never enter God's kingdom. This has nothing to do with any inherent humility on the part of any child, but it does point to a child's trusting spirit, and their willingness to be dependent and receive from others. Everyone who believes in/ trusts Jesus will not perish but have/receive eternal life! Eternal life is God's life, it is his kingdom. Paul as noted in Romans 8:17 states that "if we are children than we are heirs." Roman inheritance law established an heir by birth, whereas we are granted the privileges and responsibilities of being an heir upon someone's death. Paul emphasized that because we are born into God's life through faith in Jesus we become his children, and if we are God's children then we are heirs to all that belongs to the king. Have you made this personal commitment to Jesus? If so, can you give examples of the kingdom of God visibly breaking into your life or the life of someone you know? Set this against Jesus' home area of Nazareth, where he could not perform many miracles because of the people's lack of faith.
Once we have been born from above, our life in Christ, our kingdom life, does not end. It is active and present and continuous.
Read Matthew 7:21. Only those who do God's will Jesus will recognize as God's children. What is God's will? Read John 6:40.
Read Psalm 44:4. When we believe, and as we believe, a personal relationship is established and maintained. See Thomas in John 20:28- "My LORD and my God!"
Read Colossians 1: 13-14. Jesus has delivered us from the powers of darkness, and transferred us to his kingdom. And that kingdom is "Unshakeable"- see Hebrews 12:28, so let us worship and give thanks to God in "devotion and awe"!
Read Colossians 3: 1-3. "Keep seeking the things above." Matthew 6:33.
WHAT IS KINGDOM LIVING? A Christian writer once defined eternal life as "not about duration of time but quality of life." There are many examples in the New Testament about how we live in God's kingdom. Following are a few: Matthew 5:1- 7:29; Romans 12: 9-21; Galatians 5: 13-25. And of course we read the parables of the kingdom of heaven ("the kingdom of heaven is like…") in Matthew 13. In Matthew 5 is the well-known Sermon on the Mount. There Jesus proclaims to the people "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for the kingdom of God belongs to them." Jesus wants us to have hearts like beggars, hearts that are submitted to the Father. Remember in last week's lesson where we read Jesus' words that he does only what he sees his Father in heaven doing? As we live like this, totally dependent on the Father's love and the direction of his Spirit, the kingdom belongs to us. Later, Jesus tells us to "let your light shine before people". We should want this for others too. In Matthew 6 we read the Lord's Prayer. It begins by our acknowledging God as Father and king ("hallowed be your name…"), then continues with a request of the Father for his kingdom to come. What other examples of kingdom living are provided in these readings?
In Galatians 5, Paul discusses the difference between the life in the flesh and the life in the Spirit. If God has set us free from the bondage of sin, then we are free indeed! We have been called to this freedom- but don't misuse it! Paul exclaims- "Live by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh." He is clear in pointing out the desires of the flesh and the behavior that comes from them, and adds "Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!" So what are we to do? "Live by the Spirit"! Recall now the reading in last week's lesson from Deuteronomy 17, where the expected lifestyle of Israel's king is described. How does that life and this kingdom life compare? What is God saying to us about his life, eternal life, and about personal relationships? All of the conduct described not only establishes a personal relationship with God but also enhances our relationship with God and with one another. Jesus said in John 10:10 that he came so that we might have Life and have it most abundantly. God loves us and wants what is best for us, and kingdom life is the best life.
Following are words received for this lesson:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". (Matthew 5:3) A word received: Come to me so that you will truly know your poverty and your need for me.
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:12) A word received: I want your joy to be complete. Look to me for joy that comes in the face of adversity and persecution.
Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." (Matthew 13:31-32) A word received: Come, nest in the branches; come rest in my arms. Come to me; come find your shelter in me.
Another parable he spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." (Matthew 13:33) A word received: I want my love to be mixed up with your life. I want to raise and leaven you as yeast does with dough.
You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5) A word received: Come to me, I will build you up on the sure foundation of my love. You are precious in my sight.
Friday, March 12, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 22, March 14, 2010
Who do you say that I am?
Jesus, the King of Kings and LORD of lords
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21: 1-11
Optional: 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Luke 1: 26-33; John 18: 33-37; Isaiah 9:6-7
Memory Verse: "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:1
INTRODUCTION: What does it mean to be a king? What do you think of when you hear the word "king"? One dictionary defines a king as "a male sovereign ruler of a kingdom," while that same dictionary defines a kingdom as "the territory, people, state, or realm ruled by a king." Two other words are important for us to consider: Sovereign- "exercising or possessing supreme jurisdiction or power; free, independent, autonomous." Authority- from the Greek word exousia, which has "the basic idea of freedom of choice". One who has the most authority therefore has the most freedom of will. It is fair to say that these two words apply well to our concept of a king. C.S. Lewis applies these words to God, in that "the freedom of God consists in the fact that no cause other than himself produces his acts and no external obstacles impede them". God can do what he wants. But we must learn what it is that he wants.
THE CONCEPT OF "KING" IN THE BIBLE: In Old Testament times, a king was a leader of his people, a protector, and a permanent military leader. He was expected to lead his people into battle and be victorious, to negotiate terms of victory or loss, and to manage and insure the peace otherwise. The Book of Exodus, chapter 15, records what is known as "The Song of Triumph" (notice the language of a battle). Moses and the people of Israel sing "Who is like you O LORD among the gods? Majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?" Later in v.18 they sing "The LORD will reign for ever and ever!" Sung by a People who have been held in captivity for hundreds of years, and now delivered from the most powerful earthly king, is it any wonder that the song speaks of God as King? The LORD is indeed sovereign, with authority even over the waters of the earth and the most powerful human rulers, and a great protector and leader of his chosen people. The Israelites held God as the Most High King, the LORD God Almighty. He was leading them to the Promised Land. (Compare this with Jesus going to prepare a place for us in John 15; see also John 10:10 and 14:1-3.)
GOD'S PROVISION FOR A KING: After the Israelites have been delivered out of the grasp of Pharaoh but were not yet in the land God had promised to give them, God makes provision for an earthly king to lead them. See Dt 17. What precedes this section in Dt is the LORD's warning to the Israelites not to worship other gods. Somehow, too, the LORD seems to know that his people will ask for a king. But he warns them that it must be a king "from among your own brothers". There is then a list of things the king must follow or not do. In essence, he will be expected to submit to God's higher moral authority and will and not exalt himself above his fellow citizens. This is unlike any other king! Compare this to Jesus in Phil 2:5-11 ("every knee shall bow", a common salutatory greeting to a king) and John 5:19. See also the consequences of a king who does not hold to God's authority (David in 2 Samuel 12: 1-15).
ISRAEL EXERCISES THE PROVISION: The time of the Judges in Israel was about 1,100 B.C. The Israelites became increasingly interested in their neighbors and how those neighbors lived. They also became increasingly desirous of a king. Why do you think they wanted a king? In 1 Samuel 8:5 the elders demand that Samuel appoint them a king. How does this compare with God's words to them as recorded in Dt 17? Was not the king to be of God's choosing? They also wanted to be "like other nations". The word "nations" is "goyim" in the Hebrew, or Gentiles. For us, it literally means "non-believers". The Israelites were finding their self-esteem in how the non-believers lived and ordered their lives. Are we any different today? In v.6 the leading elders again tell Samuel "give us a king to lead us", which was a clear rejection of God who had been their leader, protector, and king. V. 7. (Compare this to Isaiah 43:15 and Isaiah 44:6- "protector" means literally "kinsman redeemer" *see note at end of lesson.) Samuel bluntly reports what they can expect in a king- he holds nothing back. Vv.11-18. The people do not care; they want a king! And so God provided a king. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel anoints Israel's first king- Saul. "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?" (Jesus is known as the Christ- from the Latin Christos- meaning "the Anointed One") How is Jesus different from these earthly kings of Israel?
GOD'S ULTIMATE PROVISION: JESUS- God begins to lay the groundwork for the Messiah by prophecies. In 1 Chronicles 17: 11-14. God declares to David that "I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father and he will be my son." In the well-known prophecy from Isaiah 9: 6-7, God proclaims that "he will reign on David's throne…from that time on and forever." The child to be born will be called Wonderful Counselor (a more literal translation is "extraordinary strategist"), Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". See also Isaiah 11: 1-5. God sent an angel to Mary, recorded in Luke 1: 26-33, where the angel proclaims that "The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Jesus himself makes a public declaration of his kingship in Matthew 21: 1-11 that fulfills a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. After his resurrection, he assures his disciples that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me….surely I am with you always." He would be for the disciples and is for us our King, our LORD, our protector, our extraordinary strategist, our Redeemer, for all time! This is confirmed in John's vision recorded in Revelation 19: 11-16. Jesus is THE King of kings and LORD of lords!!
Read Isaiah 55:6 and James 4:8. Is Jesus able to be your king, your sovereign LORD? Do you want to be part of his kingdom? We will look more closely at his kingdom in next week's lesson.
WORDS FOR THE CLASS: Read Matthew 13: 24-30
"He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'" (Matthew 13:28) A word received: I want my people to understand my plan for their salvation and their part in it. I want them to deal with sin and falsehood my way -- by telling the truth that is in my word.
"But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them." (Matthew 13:29) A word received: It is not my will that any of my lambs should be lost.
"Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (Matthew 13:30) A word received: Don't rush to judgment; test the fruit. Look to me for guidance -- I AM King.
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" (Matthew 21:4-5 A word received: That is how I still come to you: lowly and humble. Look for me in the quiet places. Come spend time with me.
NOTE:
*What is a kinsman-redeemer? The definition of "kinsman" is "nearest male blood relative. If anyone from poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the kinsman to redeem it." The Hebrew word for "kinsman" is "goel." "Redeemer" is defined as "one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs." The Hebrew word for Redeemer is also "goel." God as protector of the Israelites served to lead them into their inheritance- the Promised Land. For us, Jesus is our King and Redeemer, the one who makes it possible for us to be in relationship with God the Father, and have a place in His Kingdom.
Jesus, the King of Kings and LORD of lords
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21: 1-11
Optional: 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Luke 1: 26-33; John 18: 33-37; Isaiah 9:6-7
Memory Verse: "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:1
INTRODUCTION: What does it mean to be a king? What do you think of when you hear the word "king"? One dictionary defines a king as "a male sovereign ruler of a kingdom," while that same dictionary defines a kingdom as "the territory, people, state, or realm ruled by a king." Two other words are important for us to consider: Sovereign- "exercising or possessing supreme jurisdiction or power; free, independent, autonomous." Authority- from the Greek word exousia, which has "the basic idea of freedom of choice". One who has the most authority therefore has the most freedom of will. It is fair to say that these two words apply well to our concept of a king. C.S. Lewis applies these words to God, in that "the freedom of God consists in the fact that no cause other than himself produces his acts and no external obstacles impede them". God can do what he wants. But we must learn what it is that he wants.
THE CONCEPT OF "KING" IN THE BIBLE: In Old Testament times, a king was a leader of his people, a protector, and a permanent military leader. He was expected to lead his people into battle and be victorious, to negotiate terms of victory or loss, and to manage and insure the peace otherwise. The Book of Exodus, chapter 15, records what is known as "The Song of Triumph" (notice the language of a battle). Moses and the people of Israel sing "Who is like you O LORD among the gods? Majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?" Later in v.18 they sing "The LORD will reign for ever and ever!" Sung by a People who have been held in captivity for hundreds of years, and now delivered from the most powerful earthly king, is it any wonder that the song speaks of God as King? The LORD is indeed sovereign, with authority even over the waters of the earth and the most powerful human rulers, and a great protector and leader of his chosen people. The Israelites held God as the Most High King, the LORD God Almighty. He was leading them to the Promised Land. (Compare this with Jesus going to prepare a place for us in John 15; see also John 10:10 and 14:1-3.)
GOD'S PROVISION FOR A KING: After the Israelites have been delivered out of the grasp of Pharaoh but were not yet in the land God had promised to give them, God makes provision for an earthly king to lead them. See Dt 17. What precedes this section in Dt is the LORD's warning to the Israelites not to worship other gods. Somehow, too, the LORD seems to know that his people will ask for a king. But he warns them that it must be a king "from among your own brothers". There is then a list of things the king must follow or not do. In essence, he will be expected to submit to God's higher moral authority and will and not exalt himself above his fellow citizens. This is unlike any other king! Compare this to Jesus in Phil 2:5-11 ("every knee shall bow", a common salutatory greeting to a king) and John 5:19. See also the consequences of a king who does not hold to God's authority (David in 2 Samuel 12: 1-15).
ISRAEL EXERCISES THE PROVISION: The time of the Judges in Israel was about 1,100 B.C. The Israelites became increasingly interested in their neighbors and how those neighbors lived. They also became increasingly desirous of a king. Why do you think they wanted a king? In 1 Samuel 8:5 the elders demand that Samuel appoint them a king. How does this compare with God's words to them as recorded in Dt 17? Was not the king to be of God's choosing? They also wanted to be "like other nations". The word "nations" is "goyim" in the Hebrew, or Gentiles. For us, it literally means "non-believers". The Israelites were finding their self-esteem in how the non-believers lived and ordered their lives. Are we any different today? In v.6 the leading elders again tell Samuel "give us a king to lead us", which was a clear rejection of God who had been their leader, protector, and king. V. 7. (Compare this to Isaiah 43:15 and Isaiah 44:6- "protector" means literally "kinsman redeemer" *see note at end of lesson.) Samuel bluntly reports what they can expect in a king- he holds nothing back. Vv.11-18. The people do not care; they want a king! And so God provided a king. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel anoints Israel's first king- Saul. "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?" (Jesus is known as the Christ- from the Latin Christos- meaning "the Anointed One") How is Jesus different from these earthly kings of Israel?
GOD'S ULTIMATE PROVISION: JESUS- God begins to lay the groundwork for the Messiah by prophecies. In 1 Chronicles 17: 11-14. God declares to David that "I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father and he will be my son." In the well-known prophecy from Isaiah 9: 6-7, God proclaims that "he will reign on David's throne…from that time on and forever." The child to be born will be called Wonderful Counselor (a more literal translation is "extraordinary strategist"), Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". See also Isaiah 11: 1-5. God sent an angel to Mary, recorded in Luke 1: 26-33, where the angel proclaims that "The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Jesus himself makes a public declaration of his kingship in Matthew 21: 1-11 that fulfills a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. After his resurrection, he assures his disciples that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me….surely I am with you always." He would be for the disciples and is for us our King, our LORD, our protector, our extraordinary strategist, our Redeemer, for all time! This is confirmed in John's vision recorded in Revelation 19: 11-16. Jesus is THE King of kings and LORD of lords!!
Read Isaiah 55:6 and James 4:8. Is Jesus able to be your king, your sovereign LORD? Do you want to be part of his kingdom? We will look more closely at his kingdom in next week's lesson.
WORDS FOR THE CLASS: Read Matthew 13: 24-30
"He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'" (Matthew 13:28) A word received: I want my people to understand my plan for their salvation and their part in it. I want them to deal with sin and falsehood my way -- by telling the truth that is in my word.
"But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them." (Matthew 13:29) A word received: It is not my will that any of my lambs should be lost.
"Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (Matthew 13:30) A word received: Don't rush to judgment; test the fruit. Look to me for guidance -- I AM King.
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" (Matthew 21:4-5 A word received: That is how I still come to you: lowly and humble. Look for me in the quiet places. Come spend time with me.
NOTE:
*What is a kinsman-redeemer? The definition of "kinsman" is "nearest male blood relative. If anyone from poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the kinsman to redeem it." The Hebrew word for "kinsman" is "goel." "Redeemer" is defined as "one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs." The Hebrew word for Redeemer is also "goel." God as protector of the Israelites served to lead them into their inheritance- the Promised Land. For us, Jesus is our King and Redeemer, the one who makes it possible for us to be in relationship with God the Father, and have a place in His Kingdom.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 21, March 7, 2010
Who do you say that I am?
"I AM"
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Exodus 3:1-15, John 8:48-59, Mark 14:53-65, Acts 9:5,
Memory Verse: "'Who do you think you are?" Jesus answered, 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!'" John 8:53, 58
We worship a God who reveals himself, who hears us and sees us and has a plan to draw us to himself and make us his own people! Look at what God says to Moses in the desert where he was herding sheep after running away from Egypt. First God catches Moses' attention (Moses is 80!) with a burning bush that does not burn up. (He was near Mt Sinai/Mt. Horeb.) It says in Exodus 3:2 that "an angel of the LORD" appeared to him. (This phrase is used several times in the Old Testament when it says that God himself spoke to someone. Sometimes this angel is referred to as the "angel of his presence". Compare story in Genesis 18of Abraham's 3 visitors.) God calls Moses by name and tells him to take off his shoes because he is on holy ground (in God's presence). (The removal of shoes in a holy place was an ancient custom and is still practiced in the Middle East and India. When I visited a mosque or temple as a tourist we too had to take off our shoes. It is like a man removing his hat to show reverence.)
God identifies himself as the God of the Covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham" (Exodus 2:24). Look at what God says about himself in Exodus 2:23-24. God saw the affliction of his people and heard their cry for help. He knows their sufferings and he has come down to deliver them and bring them into a good land. Then God shocks Moses, "Come, I will send you to Pharaoh" (vs.10). Remember that Moses had run away from the Pharaoh of Egypt! Moses argues with God and wants to know God's name to tell the Israelites. (Remember the other nations had many gods.) God says, "I AM WHO I AM...I AM has sent me to you. (vs.14). This is my name forever."(vs15). "I AM" is a form of the verb "to Be" and includes the ideas of present, future and causing events. This name of God points to his action, his character and his presence in historical events. God always IS-past, present and future. We learn who God is by what he has done.
The Jews have always been reluctant to speak the holy name of God. They often substitute LORD (in capital letters). When you read LORD it means "I AM". You will find this in translations of the Old Testament. In later centuries they often used "The NAME". People's personal names sometimes included a brief reference to God's name: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and in worship as in "hallelu-jah" (meaning praise-Yahweh/"I AM".( See NOTE for more.) Names are important. God calls us by name.
Jesus There are several times when Jesus says and does things that cause his disciples and others to link Jesus with God the Father some are in awe and some are angry. In Matthew 14:27, when Jesus saw that his disciples were being blown about by the waves of the lake, he walked out to them on the water. The disciples were scared to death and thought it was a ghost. Jesus called out to them, "Take courage! It is (I) (ego eimi= I am in Greek) . Don't be afraid." Then he called Peter to walk on the water, which he did till he took his eyes off Jesus and sank. When Jesus rescued, him Peter said, "Truly, you are the Son of God." A similar thing happened when Judas and the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden. Jesus asked them who they were seeking and they said, "Jesus of Nazareth". Jesus answered, "I am (he)"(ego eimi). On hearing this the soldiers fell to the ground (John 18:5-6) in fright.
A key place where Jesus plainly called himself "I AM" is in John 8. The religious leaders who opposed him called him a Samaritan (a term of abuse) and possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus had said, "If a man keeps my word he will never see death." They answered that Abraham died and asked "Are you greater than our father Abraham" ...Who do you think you are? (vs.53) At the end of the discussion Jesus says clearly, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I AM." (vs,58 ) They tried to stone him for calling himself by God's name but he escaped.
Look at all the times Jesus made ""I AM" statements and then described who he was and what he could do; and will still do.
"I AM the Light of the world" (John 8:12),
"I AM the gate" (John 10:7),
"I AM the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11),
"I AM the Bread of Life" (John 6:35),
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:1-6),
"I AM the True Vine" (John 15:1).
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25), and later in Revelation he said,
"I AM the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8 ) and
"I AM the First and the Last. I AM the Living One: I was dead and behold I AM alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." ( Revelation 1:17-18 ).
This is the same thing we see God doing in the Old Testament. (Refer to note on names of God. Jehovah is the older pronunciation of Yahweh.) A couple of examples are 1.) "Jehovah-Jirah (Jehovah= Yahweh/I AM) and Jireh means provider, "The LORD (another substitution for I AM) will provide" (Genesis 22:8 ). 2.) In Psalm 91:1 and Jeremiah 33:12, God is called El-Shaddai (God-Almighty). 3.) Another name is Jehovah-Rophe meaning the I AM is the healer, the one who makes whole. 4.) Another is the LORD (I AM) our Righteousness, "Jehovah Tsidkenu" (Jeremiah 33:16).
Now look at Jesus' trial (Mark 14:53-65) when the chief priests and Sanhedrin were looking for an excuse to execute Jesus, they asked, "'Are you the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I AM', said Jesus, 'and you will see the Son of Man (messianic title) sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.' " They jumped on this and charged him with blasphemy which had a death penalty.
After Jesus had ascended to heaven he speaks to Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus in a blinding vision and answers Saul's question, "Who are you?" "I AM Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9:5)
Jesus made very clear by the end of his earthly life who he was. Remember John 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." and "The Word became flesh (a human being) and lived for a while among us." (vs.14). Jesus was really man of the family of David and was also really God. That is a mystery---but we can know it is true because of faithful witnesses and because we can know Jesus personally for ourselves. Remember, there is only ONE God and he makes himself known as Creator-Father, Son-Word, and Spirit. All comparisons are imperfect but they can help us. Think about the sun. There is only one sun in our solar system but there is radiation coming from it and power that it has on earth and light. Another picture is water which is always H2O but we and see it as a liquid, a gas or as a solid (ice). These are very imperfect but they can help.
There is no middle ground as to who Jesus is. As C.S. Lewis said, We can't say Oh, Jesus was just a good man or a great teacher. "He'd either be a lunatic, on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg, or else he'd be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse." (The Case for Christianity, p.l45)
Have you ever entered into a relationship with the One who made you and loved you enough to die for you? After a brief argument, Moses entered into a relationship with the great "I AM" and could talk with him as a friend, "face to face". Jesus longs for you to come to him and receive what he has for you. We know a lot about who Jesus is by his names but he longs for you and me to find a relationship with him that can truly satisfy. What are you seeing now in your life?????
What is the LORD saying to you in these words he gave the teachers?
"And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'" (Acts 9:5a) A word received: I want my people to ask that question: "Who are you?" When they ask who I am I always find a way to answer them.
"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon him, went forward and said to them, 'Whom are you seeking?'" (John 18:4) A word received: "Whom are you seeking?" Are you seeking me, or are you seeking something less which cannot satisfy? Seek me and you will find me.
"They answered him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am he.' And Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them." (John 18:5) A word received: They sought me to take me into their power. I tell you: seek me to come under and into my power.
"Now when he said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground." (John 18:6) A word received: I AM. I AM the one you are seeking. Learn to know me as "I AM".
"Then he asked them again, 'Whom are you seeking?' And they said, 'Jesus of Nazareth.'" (John 18:7) A word received: I ask you once again, "Who or what are you seeking?" Look to me; I will satisfy you with fresh bread -- my living word.
"Jesus answered, 'I have told you that I am he. Therefore, if you seek me, let these go their way,'" (John 18:8 ) A word received: I laid down my life for you. Look to me and receive what I have for you.
NOTE
The Jews have always written the "I AM" name with consonants only-YHWH. In trying to find the pronunciation the scholars during the Renaissance tried combining YHWH with the vowels of Adonai, which means LORD, and came up with the word "Jehovah". More recently many scholars think it may have been pronounced "Yahweh" The Jews considered the NAME of God too holy to speak so often simply say the "NAME". The word Jehovah is in many older hymns and translations. All these point to THE LIVING ONE who is "I AM".
LORD (capital letters) refers to God. Lord (small letters) is sometimes used for people who are rulers or masters. The English use it as a title.
"I AM"
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Exodus 3:1-15, John 8:48-59, Mark 14:53-65, Acts 9:5,
Memory Verse: "'Who do you think you are?" Jesus answered, 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!'" John 8:53, 58
We worship a God who reveals himself, who hears us and sees us and has a plan to draw us to himself and make us his own people! Look at what God says to Moses in the desert where he was herding sheep after running away from Egypt. First God catches Moses' attention (Moses is 80!) with a burning bush that does not burn up. (He was near Mt Sinai/Mt. Horeb.) It says in Exodus 3:2 that "an angel of the LORD" appeared to him. (This phrase is used several times in the Old Testament when it says that God himself spoke to someone. Sometimes this angel is referred to as the "angel of his presence". Compare story in Genesis 18of Abraham's 3 visitors.) God calls Moses by name and tells him to take off his shoes because he is on holy ground (in God's presence). (The removal of shoes in a holy place was an ancient custom and is still practiced in the Middle East and India. When I visited a mosque or temple as a tourist we too had to take off our shoes. It is like a man removing his hat to show reverence.)
God identifies himself as the God of the Covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham" (Exodus 2:24). Look at what God says about himself in Exodus 2:23-24. God saw the affliction of his people and heard their cry for help. He knows their sufferings and he has come down to deliver them and bring them into a good land. Then God shocks Moses, "Come, I will send you to Pharaoh" (vs.10). Remember that Moses had run away from the Pharaoh of Egypt! Moses argues with God and wants to know God's name to tell the Israelites. (Remember the other nations had many gods.) God says, "I AM WHO I AM...I AM has sent me to you. (vs.14). This is my name forever."(vs15). "I AM" is a form of the verb "to Be" and includes the ideas of present, future and causing events. This name of God points to his action, his character and his presence in historical events. God always IS-past, present and future. We learn who God is by what he has done.
The Jews have always been reluctant to speak the holy name of God. They often substitute LORD (in capital letters). When you read LORD it means "I AM". You will find this in translations of the Old Testament. In later centuries they often used "The NAME". People's personal names sometimes included a brief reference to God's name: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and in worship as in "hallelu-jah" (meaning praise-Yahweh/"I AM".( See NOTE for more.) Names are important. God calls us by name.
Jesus There are several times when Jesus says and does things that cause his disciples and others to link Jesus with God the Father some are in awe and some are angry. In Matthew 14:27, when Jesus saw that his disciples were being blown about by the waves of the lake, he walked out to them on the water. The disciples were scared to death and thought it was a ghost. Jesus called out to them, "Take courage! It is (I) (ego eimi= I am in Greek) . Don't be afraid." Then he called Peter to walk on the water, which he did till he took his eyes off Jesus and sank. When Jesus rescued, him Peter said, "Truly, you are the Son of God." A similar thing happened when Judas and the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden. Jesus asked them who they were seeking and they said, "Jesus of Nazareth". Jesus answered, "I am (he)"(ego eimi). On hearing this the soldiers fell to the ground (John 18:5-6) in fright.
A key place where Jesus plainly called himself "I AM" is in John 8. The religious leaders who opposed him called him a Samaritan (a term of abuse) and possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus had said, "If a man keeps my word he will never see death." They answered that Abraham died and asked "Are you greater than our father Abraham" ...Who do you think you are? (vs.53) At the end of the discussion Jesus says clearly, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I AM." (vs,58 ) They tried to stone him for calling himself by God's name but he escaped.
Look at all the times Jesus made ""I AM" statements and then described who he was and what he could do; and will still do.
"I AM the Light of the world" (John 8:12),
"I AM the gate" (John 10:7),
"I AM the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11),
"I AM the Bread of Life" (John 6:35),
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:1-6),
"I AM the True Vine" (John 15:1).
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25), and later in Revelation he said,
"I AM the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8 ) and
"I AM the First and the Last. I AM the Living One: I was dead and behold I AM alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." ( Revelation 1:17-18 ).
This is the same thing we see God doing in the Old Testament. (Refer to note on names of God. Jehovah is the older pronunciation of Yahweh.) A couple of examples are 1.) "Jehovah-Jirah (Jehovah= Yahweh/I AM) and Jireh means provider, "The LORD (another substitution for I AM) will provide" (Genesis 22:8 ). 2.) In Psalm 91:1 and Jeremiah 33:12, God is called El-Shaddai (God-Almighty). 3.) Another name is Jehovah-Rophe meaning the I AM is the healer, the one who makes whole. 4.) Another is the LORD (I AM) our Righteousness, "Jehovah Tsidkenu" (Jeremiah 33:16).
Now look at Jesus' trial (Mark 14:53-65) when the chief priests and Sanhedrin were looking for an excuse to execute Jesus, they asked, "'Are you the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I AM', said Jesus, 'and you will see the Son of Man (messianic title) sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.' " They jumped on this and charged him with blasphemy which had a death penalty.
After Jesus had ascended to heaven he speaks to Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus in a blinding vision and answers Saul's question, "Who are you?" "I AM Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9:5)
Jesus made very clear by the end of his earthly life who he was. Remember John 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." and "The Word became flesh (a human being) and lived for a while among us." (vs.14). Jesus was really man of the family of David and was also really God. That is a mystery---but we can know it is true because of faithful witnesses and because we can know Jesus personally for ourselves. Remember, there is only ONE God and he makes himself known as Creator-Father, Son-Word, and Spirit. All comparisons are imperfect but they can help us. Think about the sun. There is only one sun in our solar system but there is radiation coming from it and power that it has on earth and light. Another picture is water which is always H2O but we and see it as a liquid, a gas or as a solid (ice). These are very imperfect but they can help.
There is no middle ground as to who Jesus is. As C.S. Lewis said, We can't say Oh, Jesus was just a good man or a great teacher. "He'd either be a lunatic, on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg, or else he'd be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse." (The Case for Christianity, p.l45)
Have you ever entered into a relationship with the One who made you and loved you enough to die for you? After a brief argument, Moses entered into a relationship with the great "I AM" and could talk with him as a friend, "face to face". Jesus longs for you to come to him and receive what he has for you. We know a lot about who Jesus is by his names but he longs for you and me to find a relationship with him that can truly satisfy. What are you seeing now in your life?????
What is the LORD saying to you in these words he gave the teachers?
"And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'" (Acts 9:5a) A word received: I want my people to ask that question: "Who are you?" When they ask who I am I always find a way to answer them.
"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon him, went forward and said to them, 'Whom are you seeking?'" (John 18:4) A word received: "Whom are you seeking?" Are you seeking me, or are you seeking something less which cannot satisfy? Seek me and you will find me.
"They answered him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am he.' And Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them." (John 18:5) A word received: They sought me to take me into their power. I tell you: seek me to come under and into my power.
"Now when he said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground." (John 18:6) A word received: I AM. I AM the one you are seeking. Learn to know me as "I AM".
"Then he asked them again, 'Whom are you seeking?' And they said, 'Jesus of Nazareth.'" (John 18:7) A word received: I ask you once again, "Who or what are you seeking?" Look to me; I will satisfy you with fresh bread -- my living word.
"Jesus answered, 'I have told you that I am he. Therefore, if you seek me, let these go their way,'" (John 18:8 ) A word received: I laid down my life for you. Look to me and receive what I have for you.
NOTE
The Jews have always written the "I AM" name with consonants only-YHWH. In trying to find the pronunciation the scholars during the Renaissance tried combining YHWH with the vowels of Adonai, which means LORD, and came up with the word "Jehovah". More recently many scholars think it may have been pronounced "Yahweh" The Jews considered the NAME of God too holy to speak so often simply say the "NAME". The word Jehovah is in many older hymns and translations. All these point to THE LIVING ONE who is "I AM".
LORD (capital letters) refers to God. Lord (small letters) is sometimes used for people who are rulers or masters. The English use it as a title.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 20, February 28, 2010
Who do you say that I am?
I AM the Bread of Life
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Isaiah 55:1-2, Luke 11:3, Deuteronomy 8:3, John 6:25-63
Memory Verse: I AM the Bread of Life. John 6:35
What do you think Jesus was talking about in the Lord's Prayer when he told his disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread"? Do you think he was talking about "wonder bread" or "whole wheat bread"? What do you think he meant by "daily bread"? What do you think he meant by calling himself the "Bread of Life"?
Introduction The Bible uses the term Bread to mean a lot of things. What do some of these verses mean? "Fed them on the bread of tears" (Psalm 80:5)
"They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence" (Proverbs 4:17).
"She does not eat the bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:27).
"Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?
"Keep the Festival not with the old yeast of malice and evil, but with the bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth."(1 Corinthians 5:6-8 )
"Cast your bread upon the waters, and you will find it after many days" (Ecclesiastes 11:1)
What do modern politicians means by "bread and butter issues"?
Here bread refers to a quality and characteristic of the person's life and is symbolized as "Bread". It was what they took into their lives daily and "ate" it.
Many people, like those in Haiti have barely enough to eat to survive. Actual bread was a basic food for people. Sometimes it was made from yeast but the most basic bread was like a tortilla or chapatti made with hand-ground grain, water and oil and cooked on a kind of griddle daily. Cereal offerings of grain to God were often in the form of flat cakes of bread. Bread was considered the gift of God and the Israelites remembered that God had fed them with manna in the wilderness where they could not grow grain. Every time they celebrated the Passover of God rescuing them from slavery in Egypt they recalled both the hurriedly made flat bread, made without yeast, that they made and ate quickly just before they escaped as well as the manna God gave them later in the desert in the early morning.
Eating and Drinking Eating and drinking could be taken literally (Have a coke. Eat a donut.) or as an idiom (symbolic way of speaking). (There was a sentence like this in last week's Sport's section: "Saint's quarterback...drinks in the atmosphere after the Saints Super Bowl victory.") It could mean not only to eat and drink but to absorb, inhale, take into a person's mind/heart/spirit, that is your inner self and be the basis of living your life. What are you feeding your inner self? Is it anger, bitterness, greed. lust, doubt of God--spiritual junk food or even poison (like bitterness or hatred)? In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talks about how ideas we "feed on" in our minds often become the cause of external actions or sins (like lust or anger). Or do we feed on and desire more of Jesus, his presence, strength, guidance in our inner selves, with thanksgiving. Do we feed on his word in Scripture, his present will for us? Jesus himself is also God's "Word made flesh". What we feed our bodies, minds and spirits has consequences. What are the consequences to too much junk food or feeding on anger? What does Jesus say are the consequences of feeding on him and his word?
Eating together ("break bread together") was a symbol of hospitality and created a special relationship and was part of forming a covenant (1 Kings 13:8f). In the New Testament it came to include also taking part in the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. (Acts 2:42,46). Eating together is still a very important symbol in the Near East today.
In Deuteronomy 8:3 God speaks to his people: "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." God wants us to know that it is not enough to have our physical needs met but life--real life that God created us to have in fellowship with and obedience to him needs to be fed and nurtured on his WORD (both his Word in Scripture and his Word Jesus). This involves a choice. God has provided the means for this but we have to choose it--daily. We receive by asking and by faith--(we cannot manipulate God) receiving what God has made available.
What do you think Isaiah was talking about in Isaiah 55:1-2? "'Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.'" (Isaiah 55:1) A word received: I want to supply you with my new life. Turn to me for provision that will truly satisfy.
"'Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.'" (Isaiah 55:2) A word received: I want you to choose what will truly satisfy -- not the trivial stuff that is here today and gone tomorrow -- delight yourself in what I offer you.
John 6: 25-63 is where Jesus talks about himself as the Bread of Life. This is another "I AM" statement. In Exodus 3 that was the name God gave for himself to Moses. Remember how Jesus said, "Before Abraham was (was born) I AM"--identifying himself as one with God.(John 8:58 ) Look at the context of Jesus' names for himself in this chapter, "Bread of Life", "Living Bread", "the Bread which came down from God/Heaven." The context is the feeding of the 5,000 and the nearness of the feast of Pentecost. Jesus showed both his concern over the physical need for food, (bread), of the crowd but also showed how he was able to meet that need even when it seemed impossible. We too can trust Jesus to meet our needs when it seems impossible. We just need to bring our problem and our little "lunch" to Jesus and see what he will do. The nearness of a Passover reminded the crowds of the manna that God gave them and Jesus uses this to talk about who he is.
The crowd followed Jesus around the lake because they had eaten a free lunch/free bread. Jesus says, "Do not work for the food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." (6:27). Jesus is pointing them to their spiritual hunger--a hunger only he could satisfy. They had just seen a miracle but they "don't get it" and ask for a sign to prove who Jesus is---and talk about the manna God gave as "Bread from heaven". This gives Jesus the opening to say, "It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." (vs/32-35) They still don't get it and want the free bread, so Jesus says, "I AM the bread of life"(vs.51). "I AM the living bread that came down from heaven." "He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." (vs.35)
The first step is to "believe in the one he (God) has sent."(vs.29). It is to believe Jesus is telling us the truth and to trust him and to entrust our lives to him. Then Jesus can give us--in himself--the "food that endures to eternal life"(vs.27). "He who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life."(vs.40). (Eternal life is not just life after death, it is a new life in Jesus now.
Then in verse 51 Jesus adds something new, "I AM the living bread which came down from heaven. If a man eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." When they said, how can he do this?. Jesus added, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life within you."(vs.53). "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (vs.56) D. T. Niles of Ceylon said, "Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread."
This is hard to understand but remember what eating and drinking can mean. "Flesh" can mean either our physical bodies or the entire human being, the essence of a person. "Blood" in the Bible stands for life, the life of a person or animal. It was holy and not to be eaten. Jesus was referring first to giving his life on the cross for all people who would receive it and also referring to us receiving into ourselves, to live in us, Jesus' whole life and self. We renew this receiving of Jesus' life and self each time we obey Jesus ' invitation and command given at the last supper. "Take, eat" and "All of you drink of it, this is my blood of the covenant." Remember what Jesus said in John 15:4 about himself as the vine and we are the branches." "Remain in me and I will remain in you." When Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19) he meant a lot more than remembering something past like 9/11 or World War 2, though it includes that, it also means, like the Passover, that though Jesus "died once for all" we too can experience in the present the results of his life and death for us. (Greek word for this is anamnesis) as we receive Jesus in the bread and the wine. (We are NOT discussing what churches have argued about the bread and wine itself.) Look at what Jesus says at the close of this discussion in vs.61, 63. "Does this offend you?...The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life." Our focus needs to be on receiving Jesus anew in Holy Communion and trust his promises. "'Incline your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you -- the sure mercies of David.'" (Isaiah 55:3) A word received: Come to me; I AM the bread which came down from heaven. Eat of me and your soul will be satisfied. "'So he humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.'" (Deuteronomy 8:3). A word received: I want you to know what truly satisfies, and I want you to choose what will truly build you up. Feed yourself, delight yourself in my word.
I AM the Bread of Life
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Isaiah 55:1-2, Luke 11:3, Deuteronomy 8:3, John 6:25-63
Memory Verse: I AM the Bread of Life. John 6:35
What do you think Jesus was talking about in the Lord's Prayer when he told his disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread"? Do you think he was talking about "wonder bread" or "whole wheat bread"? What do you think he meant by "daily bread"? What do you think he meant by calling himself the "Bread of Life"?
Introduction The Bible uses the term Bread to mean a lot of things. What do some of these verses mean? "Fed them on the bread of tears" (Psalm 80:5)
"They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence" (Proverbs 4:17).
"She does not eat the bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:27).
"Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?
"Keep the Festival not with the old yeast of malice and evil, but with the bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth."(1 Corinthians 5:6-8 )
"Cast your bread upon the waters, and you will find it after many days" (Ecclesiastes 11:1)
What do modern politicians means by "bread and butter issues"?
Here bread refers to a quality and characteristic of the person's life and is symbolized as "Bread". It was what they took into their lives daily and "ate" it.
Many people, like those in Haiti have barely enough to eat to survive. Actual bread was a basic food for people. Sometimes it was made from yeast but the most basic bread was like a tortilla or chapatti made with hand-ground grain, water and oil and cooked on a kind of griddle daily. Cereal offerings of grain to God were often in the form of flat cakes of bread. Bread was considered the gift of God and the Israelites remembered that God had fed them with manna in the wilderness where they could not grow grain. Every time they celebrated the Passover of God rescuing them from slavery in Egypt they recalled both the hurriedly made flat bread, made without yeast, that they made and ate quickly just before they escaped as well as the manna God gave them later in the desert in the early morning.
Eating and Drinking Eating and drinking could be taken literally (Have a coke. Eat a donut.) or as an idiom (symbolic way of speaking). (There was a sentence like this in last week's Sport's section: "Saint's quarterback...drinks in the atmosphere after the Saints Super Bowl victory.") It could mean not only to eat and drink but to absorb, inhale, take into a person's mind/heart/spirit, that is your inner self and be the basis of living your life. What are you feeding your inner self? Is it anger, bitterness, greed. lust, doubt of God--spiritual junk food or even poison (like bitterness or hatred)? In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talks about how ideas we "feed on" in our minds often become the cause of external actions or sins (like lust or anger). Or do we feed on and desire more of Jesus, his presence, strength, guidance in our inner selves, with thanksgiving. Do we feed on his word in Scripture, his present will for us? Jesus himself is also God's "Word made flesh". What we feed our bodies, minds and spirits has consequences. What are the consequences to too much junk food or feeding on anger? What does Jesus say are the consequences of feeding on him and his word?
Eating together ("break bread together") was a symbol of hospitality and created a special relationship and was part of forming a covenant (1 Kings 13:8f). In the New Testament it came to include also taking part in the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. (Acts 2:42,46). Eating together is still a very important symbol in the Near East today.
In Deuteronomy 8:3 God speaks to his people: "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." God wants us to know that it is not enough to have our physical needs met but life--real life that God created us to have in fellowship with and obedience to him needs to be fed and nurtured on his WORD (both his Word in Scripture and his Word Jesus). This involves a choice. God has provided the means for this but we have to choose it--daily. We receive by asking and by faith--(we cannot manipulate God) receiving what God has made available.
What do you think Isaiah was talking about in Isaiah 55:1-2? "'Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.'" (Isaiah 55:1) A word received: I want to supply you with my new life. Turn to me for provision that will truly satisfy.
"'Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.'" (Isaiah 55:2) A word received: I want you to choose what will truly satisfy -- not the trivial stuff that is here today and gone tomorrow -- delight yourself in what I offer you.
John 6: 25-63 is where Jesus talks about himself as the Bread of Life. This is another "I AM" statement. In Exodus 3 that was the name God gave for himself to Moses. Remember how Jesus said, "Before Abraham was (was born) I AM"--identifying himself as one with God.(John 8:58 ) Look at the context of Jesus' names for himself in this chapter, "Bread of Life", "Living Bread", "the Bread which came down from God/Heaven." The context is the feeding of the 5,000 and the nearness of the feast of Pentecost. Jesus showed both his concern over the physical need for food, (bread), of the crowd but also showed how he was able to meet that need even when it seemed impossible. We too can trust Jesus to meet our needs when it seems impossible. We just need to bring our problem and our little "lunch" to Jesus and see what he will do. The nearness of a Passover reminded the crowds of the manna that God gave them and Jesus uses this to talk about who he is.
The crowd followed Jesus around the lake because they had eaten a free lunch/free bread. Jesus says, "Do not work for the food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." (6:27). Jesus is pointing them to their spiritual hunger--a hunger only he could satisfy. They had just seen a miracle but they "don't get it" and ask for a sign to prove who Jesus is---and talk about the manna God gave as "Bread from heaven". This gives Jesus the opening to say, "It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." (vs/32-35) They still don't get it and want the free bread, so Jesus says, "I AM the bread of life"(vs.51). "I AM the living bread that came down from heaven." "He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." (vs.35)
The first step is to "believe in the one he (God) has sent."(vs.29). It is to believe Jesus is telling us the truth and to trust him and to entrust our lives to him. Then Jesus can give us--in himself--the "food that endures to eternal life"(vs.27). "He who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life."(vs.40). (Eternal life is not just life after death, it is a new life in Jesus now.
Then in verse 51 Jesus adds something new, "I AM the living bread which came down from heaven. If a man eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." When they said, how can he do this?. Jesus added, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life within you."(vs.53). "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (vs.56) D. T. Niles of Ceylon said, "Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread."
This is hard to understand but remember what eating and drinking can mean. "Flesh" can mean either our physical bodies or the entire human being, the essence of a person. "Blood" in the Bible stands for life, the life of a person or animal. It was holy and not to be eaten. Jesus was referring first to giving his life on the cross for all people who would receive it and also referring to us receiving into ourselves, to live in us, Jesus' whole life and self. We renew this receiving of Jesus' life and self each time we obey Jesus ' invitation and command given at the last supper. "Take, eat" and "All of you drink of it, this is my blood of the covenant." Remember what Jesus said in John 15:4 about himself as the vine and we are the branches." "Remain in me and I will remain in you." When Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19) he meant a lot more than remembering something past like 9/11 or World War 2, though it includes that, it also means, like the Passover, that though Jesus "died once for all" we too can experience in the present the results of his life and death for us. (Greek word for this is anamnesis) as we receive Jesus in the bread and the wine. (We are NOT discussing what churches have argued about the bread and wine itself.) Look at what Jesus says at the close of this discussion in vs.61, 63. "Does this offend you?...The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life." Our focus needs to be on receiving Jesus anew in Holy Communion and trust his promises. "'Incline your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you -- the sure mercies of David.'" (Isaiah 55:3) A word received: Come to me; I AM the bread which came down from heaven. Eat of me and your soul will be satisfied. "'So he humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.'" (Deuteronomy 8:3). A word received: I want you to know what truly satisfies, and I want you to choose what will truly build you up. Feed yourself, delight yourself in my word.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 19, February 21, 2010
Who do you say that I am?
Friend
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: John 15:9-17; John 11:1-15, 33-38; Matthew 11:19; Exodus 33:10-11; Isaiah 41:8
Memory Verse: "There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 His name is Jesus! (Pre-K to grade 3)
How would you describe what it means to have a friend? to be a friend? What does it mean to have Jesus as a friend?
First, let's look at some people in the Bible who were called friends of God. Abraham: King Jehoshaphat refers to Abraham as God's friend in his prayer to God for help. (2 Chronicles 20:7). In Isaiah 41:8 God speaks to the prophet Isaiah, "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendents of Abraham, my friend." (Also James 2:23) Moses: "Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent of meeting, they all stood and worshipped each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend." (Exodus 33:10-11) (See vs. 1-14 for more of the story.) Lazarus: In the story of the raising of Lazarus it is clear that he, Martha and Mary were friends of Jesus as well as his disciples. (John 11:1-15, 33-38) What was there about these people that God would call them friends?
Now look at God's original purpose in creating us human beings. Before people chose to follow their own desires (SIN) rather than obey God, Adam, Eve and God spent time together daily as friends. (Genesis 3:1-13)
"And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8) A word received: My heart's desire is to walk with you, to be a companion and a friend.
"Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, 'Where are you?'" (Genesis 3:9) A word received: I called to him then and I call to you now. I desire to have you come to me.
In sending Jesus to pay the cost for our sins, He (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) made it possible for us to become children of God, to be friends of God, children of our Heavenly Father. God longs for us to turn to him, spend time with him, obey him and be his friends. The only way you can be friends with your Creator, who made you, is to do things his way--obey him, choose him. Once I read about the Bible being called the "Manufacturer's Handbook".
So what does it mean when Jesus is called "a friend of tax collectors (very corrupt) and sinners"? (Matthew 11:19) Jesus sought these people out and spent time with them because they knew they were sinners who needed help! The trouble with many of the religious leaders was that they didn't know their need of God, or their need for his forgiveness. Romans 5:6-11 tells us that God demonstrates his love for us "when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him, through the death of his Son" (vs.10) "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (vs.8).
In John 15:9-17, Jesus says something new to his disciples the night before he died on the cross. He not only gives them an example of how to be both servants and leaders but then he says this astonishing thing, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me but I chose you --to go and bear fruit." (vs.15-16).. We are called to be both servants to Jesus, our Lord, and friends. What would be the characteristics of this kind of friendship?
How does Jesus define friendship? "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love" (vs.9-10). What command? "My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. " The word for LOVE all through this passage is agape, the kind of love God has for us--not indulgent or just a nice feeling but caring for us and doing whatever is best us for us. (Did you ever as a child resent someone telling you, "I did it for your own good" or "I did it because I love you.") We are to love each other they way Jesus loves us!!!
Jesus refers to his death on the cross for us, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lays down his life for his friends."(vs.15). Then comes the punch line, "You are my friends IF you do what I command."(vs.14). "Laying down our lives" for Jesus means doing what God wants us to do, perhaps something we might not want to do but we do it for him. Remember what we learned before, being a friend of the King is not just being buddies. We have the privilege of a close relationship but there are conditions--doing things his way. "Laying down your life for a friend" can be many things. It means serving the other person and sticking by them no matter what happens. What else do you think it can mean?
Being Jesus' friend and servant could be difficult and costly sometimes. Remember how Jesus told Peter after the Resurrection how Peter would someday die a martyr's death. (John 21:17-19) Jesus told Paul how many things he (Paul) would suffer for him as Paul followed him. (Acts9:15-16) Sometimes Jesus calls people to be far away from their families or to choose between family and friends and Jesus. It is not always easy but Jesus will always be there with you and help you. You will never be alone and you can know his joy (vs.11) in the midst of difficulties. See Memory Verse.
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24) A word received: I AM that friend. Turn to me and receive my friendship. I will stick with you through everything.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you." (Isaiah 43:2a) A word received: I will stick with you through everything. I AM with you.
One of the risks of friendship is that sometimes a friend can let you down or betray you. That happened to Jesus with Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss of friendship. But Jesus still reached out to him with the word "friend" (Luke 22:48).
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." (Proverbs 27:6) A word received: Judas betrayed me with a kiss; yet I called him "Friend." There is a risk in friendship -- only a friend can truly wound you, but life without friendship is a loss terrible to think about. Turn to me for guidance in your friendships. I want you to teach the children that not everyone who calls you "Friend," is a friend. Turn to me for guidance. Look to me when there are wounds in your friendships. (Matthew 26:49-50) Proverbs 27:6 warns that a friend might hurt you with a difficult truth but an enemy could gush all over you and then betray you. Jesus will never betray us but sometimes, like Peter we can get in a tight spot and pretend we don't know him. Think how that wounds Jesus heart!
Jesus promises those who choose to follow him that he will be with us always--even to the ends of the earth. (Matthew 28:20). "Surely I will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth(or the end of the world)"
"These things he said, and after that he said to them, 'Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.'" (John 11:11) A word received: I wept for my friend Lazarus; I wept for my friends Mary and Martha. I weep for your sorrows and griefs. I AM a friend who sticks with you even when you think you are all alone. (John 11:35)
Friend
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: John 15:9-17; John 11:1-15, 33-38; Matthew 11:19; Exodus 33:10-11; Isaiah 41:8
Memory Verse: "There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 His name is Jesus! (Pre-K to grade 3)
How would you describe what it means to have a friend? to be a friend? What does it mean to have Jesus as a friend?
First, let's look at some people in the Bible who were called friends of God. Abraham: King Jehoshaphat refers to Abraham as God's friend in his prayer to God for help. (2 Chronicles 20:7). In Isaiah 41:8 God speaks to the prophet Isaiah, "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendents of Abraham, my friend." (Also James 2:23) Moses: "Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent of meeting, they all stood and worshipped each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend." (Exodus 33:10-11) (See vs. 1-14 for more of the story.) Lazarus: In the story of the raising of Lazarus it is clear that he, Martha and Mary were friends of Jesus as well as his disciples. (John 11:1-15, 33-38) What was there about these people that God would call them friends?
Now look at God's original purpose in creating us human beings. Before people chose to follow their own desires (SIN) rather than obey God, Adam, Eve and God spent time together daily as friends. (Genesis 3:1-13)
"And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8) A word received: My heart's desire is to walk with you, to be a companion and a friend.
"Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, 'Where are you?'" (Genesis 3:9) A word received: I called to him then and I call to you now. I desire to have you come to me.
In sending Jesus to pay the cost for our sins, He (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) made it possible for us to become children of God, to be friends of God, children of our Heavenly Father. God longs for us to turn to him, spend time with him, obey him and be his friends. The only way you can be friends with your Creator, who made you, is to do things his way--obey him, choose him. Once I read about the Bible being called the "Manufacturer's Handbook".
So what does it mean when Jesus is called "a friend of tax collectors (very corrupt) and sinners"? (Matthew 11:19) Jesus sought these people out and spent time with them because they knew they were sinners who needed help! The trouble with many of the religious leaders was that they didn't know their need of God, or their need for his forgiveness. Romans 5:6-11 tells us that God demonstrates his love for us "when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him, through the death of his Son" (vs.10) "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (vs.8).
In John 15:9-17, Jesus says something new to his disciples the night before he died on the cross. He not only gives them an example of how to be both servants and leaders but then he says this astonishing thing, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me but I chose you --to go and bear fruit." (vs.15-16).. We are called to be both servants to Jesus, our Lord, and friends. What would be the characteristics of this kind of friendship?
How does Jesus define friendship? "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love" (vs.9-10). What command? "My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. " The word for LOVE all through this passage is agape, the kind of love God has for us--not indulgent or just a nice feeling but caring for us and doing whatever is best us for us. (Did you ever as a child resent someone telling you, "I did it for your own good" or "I did it because I love you.") We are to love each other they way Jesus loves us!!!
Jesus refers to his death on the cross for us, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lays down his life for his friends."(vs.15). Then comes the punch line, "You are my friends IF you do what I command."(vs.14). "Laying down our lives" for Jesus means doing what God wants us to do, perhaps something we might not want to do but we do it for him. Remember what we learned before, being a friend of the King is not just being buddies. We have the privilege of a close relationship but there are conditions--doing things his way. "Laying down your life for a friend" can be many things. It means serving the other person and sticking by them no matter what happens. What else do you think it can mean?
Being Jesus' friend and servant could be difficult and costly sometimes. Remember how Jesus told Peter after the Resurrection how Peter would someday die a martyr's death. (John 21:17-19) Jesus told Paul how many things he (Paul) would suffer for him as Paul followed him. (Acts9:15-16) Sometimes Jesus calls people to be far away from their families or to choose between family and friends and Jesus. It is not always easy but Jesus will always be there with you and help you. You will never be alone and you can know his joy (vs.11) in the midst of difficulties. See Memory Verse.
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24) A word received: I AM that friend. Turn to me and receive my friendship. I will stick with you through everything.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you." (Isaiah 43:2a) A word received: I will stick with you through everything. I AM with you.
One of the risks of friendship is that sometimes a friend can let you down or betray you. That happened to Jesus with Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss of friendship. But Jesus still reached out to him with the word "friend" (Luke 22:48).
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." (Proverbs 27:6) A word received: Judas betrayed me with a kiss; yet I called him "Friend." There is a risk in friendship -- only a friend can truly wound you, but life without friendship is a loss terrible to think about. Turn to me for guidance in your friendships. I want you to teach the children that not everyone who calls you "Friend," is a friend. Turn to me for guidance. Look to me when there are wounds in your friendships. (Matthew 26:49-50) Proverbs 27:6 warns that a friend might hurt you with a difficult truth but an enemy could gush all over you and then betray you. Jesus will never betray us but sometimes, like Peter we can get in a tight spot and pretend we don't know him. Think how that wounds Jesus heart!
Jesus promises those who choose to follow him that he will be with us always--even to the ends of the earth. (Matthew 28:20). "Surely I will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth(or the end of the world)"
"These things he said, and after that he said to them, 'Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.'" (John 11:11) A word received: I wept for my friend Lazarus; I wept for my friends Mary and Martha. I weep for your sorrows and griefs. I AM a friend who sticks with you even when you think you are all alone. (John 11:35)
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